China U-23 team warms up in Laos for AFC qualifiers
Xinhua, March 25, 2015 Adjust font size:
The Chinese U-23 men's football team is in Laos' capital for AFC qualifying matches against the host nation, Mongolia and Singapore in Group J.
According to qualification rules, 10 teams who top their group will advance to the final in Qatar next year. They will be joined by five second-placed squads who have best result during the qualification round.
The Chinese team had its first training session at Vientiane's National Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Four members of the 23-man Chinese squad are from their clubs abroad, while others play in China's Super League.
The line-up is set to feature both Liu Binbin and Li Ang who competed in the recent 2015 Asian Cup held in Australia.
The team had already geared up in a week-long training camp in Guangzhou, China.
Team leader Guo Bingyan expressed confidence in the team's ability.
"Of course the target is to qualify for the final stage of the tournament," Guo said.
He dismissed the Southeast Asian nation's high temperature and humidity as an issue.
"They're all professional players so they know how to get themselves ready," Guo added.
China plays its first match against Mongolia in Vientiane on March 27, before meeting Singapore on March 29 and hosts Laos on March 31. Endi