China vow to maintain momentum after Asian Cup high
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-09-07 17:12

The Chinese football squad flew in Penang yesterday and made it clear that they are not on the island for a holiday.

Their Dutch coach, Arie Haan, said that they were single-minded in their task to consolidate their position at the top of the Asia Group Four World Cup qualifying match when they play against Malaysia at the City Stadium tomorrow.

“We have to win the match to remain in a good position before we take on Hong Kong,” said Hann at the Penang International Airport.

The Chinese have full points after the first round matches in the qualifying group. They beat Kuwait 1-0 in Guangzhou in February and followed up with victories over Hong Kong (1-0 in March) and Malaysia (4-0 in June).

The Chinese come to Penang after a creditable performance in the Asian Cup Finals recently and they will definitely not want to slow down in their bid to get into the final rounds of the Asian World Cup qualifiers.

On the second round match against Malaysia, Hann said: “As far as I am concerned, every game is a new game and every game is a difficult one. Our 4-0 win over Malaysia in the first round match does not really mean a thing now.

“We had a good run in the Asian Cup and it was a good morale boost for the team. But we have to continue to stay focused and concentrate fully on our game.

“The Malaysians are out of contention (to advance) and they will definitely want to salvage some pride at home. That can make things difficult for us, especially after their encouraging 2-1 win over Thailand in a friendly match recently.”

Haan will not have a team at full strength against the Malaysians.

Regulars Lai Fong and Shao Jai are still nursing injuries suffered in the Asian Cup Finals. Also not in Penang is Manchester City's Sun Jihai, who has to serve out a suspension.

“We are on a mission to go to Germany (for the World Cup Finals in 2006). We must beat Malaysia. There can be no more or no less and this is what the players must understand,” said Hann.

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