Dujkovic to focus on Olympic glory

SHENYANG, Liaoning Province: Olympic soccer coach Ratomir Dujkovic has confirmed he will not don another hat as the temporary head of China's national squad for October's Asian zone World Cup qualifiers.

The Serbian-born mentor has been the subject of reshuffle rumors since national coach Zhu Guanghu's charges finished a dismal Asian Cup campaign by failing to reach the knockout stage.

But in rebuffing the scuttlebutt, the Serb insists he must concentrate his energies on producing glory for China at the home Olympics.

"I will not take the job of national team coach in October," he said in Shenyang in Northeast China's Liaoning Province during a four-nation Olympic teams tournament.

"You cannot have two jobs and do well," said the under-23 squad boss. "For me, I want to take this job seriously right now.

"The Beijing Olympics is so important for my team and I want to take the responsibility."

Dujkovic's charges convincingly beat Botswana 2-1 on Tuesday at the Shenyang Olympic Center, one of the venues for next year's Olympic soccer matches, in a warm-up challenge also involving Japan and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"I know we lost twice to Japan in the last two meetings," the coach said.

"But I know we are closer and I also want to win two times from now on.

"We will not fear anyone on home soil. We have a great stadium and crazy fans like I saw today. I believe everything will be even better by the time of Olympic Games."

Although Zhu has not officially stepped down from his post, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) has reportedly accepted his resignation and begun searching for a new mentor for the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Dujkovic is contracted to the CFA until the end of the Beijing Games and rumors he will be appointed World Cup boss if he steers the under-23 squad to a semifinal, abound.

But many in the soccer fraternity believe the CFA is considering Dujkovic as caretaker during two of the team's qualifying matches in October.

The CFA declined to comment on the matter.

The coach rebuffed the idea, but acknowledged that he harbors the goal of becoming national coach.

"Personally, I would like to take the job.

"But for the time being, as you know, my job is coaching the Olympic team," Dujkovic repeated.

The 61-year-old knows he and his team can ill afford more distractions after their roller coaster ride in the past two months.

"So far all the players have been impressive and their potential in the future," he said. "So most of them will be called up for the Beijing Games."

The final Olympic roster will be decided in January when three senior players are to be added.

(China Daily 08/03/2007 page22)