Chinese media: China national team get luck but lack creditable history
Xinhua, January 10, 2015 Adjust font size:
Chinese media believed China's national football team got luck on their side as Alan Perrin' s men will make their first appearance against Saudi Arabia in the 2015 Asian Cup in a few hours, but the 18-year winless history against the opponent still stings painfully.
China is lucky to qualify for the 2015 Asian Cup finals as the best third-place finishers from qualifying tournament. What's more, Saudi Arabia's star forward Nassir Al Shamrani has been ruled out for the Asian Cup just fewer hours before he faces China in Brisbane, which made Chinese media super optimistic.
Chinese players found two balls which were left by Saudi Arabia in Friday's last training session. "It means China will defeat Saudi Arabia 2-0 on Saturday." A Chinese Internet user remarked superstitiously.
The former China's coach Bora Milutinovic also believed that China will beat Saudi Arabia.
"Saudi Arabia didn't do very well in the Gulf Cup, and they wasted too much energy in their league and internal Cups. It's new coach can't help them release their strength in a short time. China get a chance obviously," Milutinovic added.
Although Chinese media hope for the best, they also pointed out that China has never beaten Saudi Arab since 1997, including the recent one defeat and one draw in the qualifiers for the 2015 Asian Cup.
China was defeated by Saudi Arabia 2-0 in the 1984 Asian Cup final, which is the closest opportunity for China to claim the title for the first time. Endi