SHANGHAI, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- A 28-man squad announced by the Chinese Football Association on Sunday started training on Wednesday in Shanghai Century Park for EAFF E-1 Football Championship.
"Our players have endured perhaps the longest season in China. They must feel exhausted, but they immediately devoted themselves to getting prepared for the upcoming tournament. Actually, I only met them yesterday, and I really appreciate their efforts," head coach Li Tie said.
According to the plan, the team will fly to South Korea on the morning of December 8 and will usher in their first match on December 10. "Our time is very limited, and it is also the first time for many players to train, so we have little time to get in top shape," said Li.
However, the head coach is quite satisfied with the morale of his team. "Many players cannot join us for various reasons. But I'm sure that all the players present here are eager to play for the country. I always believe that there is no small game for the national team. At the end of the season, all the players are tired, including Japanese and South Korean teams. Therefore, players' willpower plays a more important role at this moment," Li commented.
He also revealed that the Chinese Football Association and its chairman Chen Xuyuan have great trust in him and the team by setting no clear goals for their final achievements.
"But they have put forward some higher requirements in other aspects," he added.
Regarding the national team's failure which caused Marcello Lippi's resignation, Li would rather pay his attention to the future. "Now we are going to play an A-level international game on behalf of our country. I'm very proud to be the head coach of this team, which is also my life dream. I also told our players that when they have the opportunity to work for the country, they should cherish it," said Li.
EAFF E-1 Football Championship will be held in Busan, South Korea from December 10 to 18.
