Japan is China's Target

Home>>Sports

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, June 10, 2002

Japan is China's Target

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Japan Beat Russia 1-0 to Top Group H

A decade ago, Japan were a team easily tossed over by China. Now at the 2002 World Cup finals, Japan held Belgium 2-2 and defeated Russia 1-0 to grab a good position to make it to the last 16, while China have been shut out of contention after surrendering two matches and six goals.

When millions of Japanese fans are celebrating their first World Cup victory with near hysteria, the disappointed Chinese are moaning their team's embarrassing defeats at their debut in the world premier soccer tournament.

Willy-nilly, China have to admit the fact that they are a class inferior to Japan and South Korea, who also won their first World Cup match by beating Poland 2-0.

The blossom of Japanese soccer is an inevitable result of Japan's concentration and investment on youth footballers, China's assistant coach Chi Shangbin said in an earlier interview with Xinhua.

Brazil Rout China 4-0

Chi, who had coached a Japanese youth club team, said Japan were set to become No. 1 team in Asia.

Thousands of young and talented Japanese players, most self-sponsored, are learning and playing the game in Brazil.

It is a big contrast to the Chinese as there are only dozens of Chinese players who had been sponsored by a beverage company to learn the game in Brazil in the past decade.

The Chinese have to admit that Japan is the example they should follow in next 10 years if they want to impress the world as much as Japan did at this World Cup.

But by now, there is no sign that Chinese soccer is on the way to success.

Massive amounts of money flow into quasi-professional leagues while few sponsors have interest in Chinese youth teams.

Few young players make the starting squads in the first and second division leagues every season as coaches are forced to rely upon experienced players, who might ensure a better result in the competitive leagues.

China's Yugoslav coach Bora Milutinovic was under fire when he dropped veteran midfielder Li Ming and replaced him with young Li Xiaopeng on the Chinese World Cup roster.

But the relatively inexperienced Chinese won the respect and praise from the four-time champions Brazil, though they lost 4-0 on Saturday.

They troubled the Brazilians with aggressive play at both the start and the end of the match, and went close to scoring their first finals goal when Zhao Junzhe hit the post.

China will pack up after Thursday's game against Turkey, but their dream of the World Cup just starts.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Brazil Thrash China 4-0 in Group C

Japan Beat Russia 1-0 to Top Group H

>> Full Coverage

China Likely to Launch the Lowest SAR in the World ( 2 Messages)

China Hopes Japan Will Keep Commitment to Non-nuclear Principles ( 2 Messages)

Asymmetric Trial of Strength: Commentary ( 21 Messages)

US Taiwan Acts Jeopardize Sino-US Ties: Analysis ( 76 Messages)

'Kunlun' Jet-engine to Power China's Airforce ( 54 Messages)