Dujkovic scotches amalgamation plan

China's Olympic soccer coach has once again rejected a possible China Football Association (CFA) proposal to combine the national and Beijing Games teams.

Ratomir Dujkovic was responding to reports that the CFA was considering promoting the Olympic under-22 team to replace the current national squad and rely on Dujkovic to steer them through October's Asian Zone World Cup qualifiers.

Dujkovic dismissed any imminent changes, saying he will not jeopardise his Olympic semifinal dream.

"Players of the Olympic team are too young and lack the experiences," the Serbian-born coach said.

"World Cup qualifiers are totally different from the Olympic competitions. I think it is too risky to have Olympic team compete for World Cup qualifiers.

"It is also of high risk for the team's hope at the Beijing Olympics if they take so many tasks."

Dujkovic's departure for a 45-day holiday yesterday was a further blow to any radical designs CFA may have.

"It is impossible to coach two teams in the same period," Dujkovic said. "World Cup qualifiers and Olympic Games both are significant for the two teams. For me, I want to take this job seriously right now."

But Dujkovic added he had recommended worthy candidates for the national squad job to CFA and was waiting their final decision.

"Whoever is at the position, I hope CFA should give him the full right and responsibility," he said.

China, with just one World Cup finals appearance in 2002, starts its 2010 World Cup campaign at home on October 8 against Burma.

CFA's possible amalgamation and an additional proposal to shorten the 2008 domestic league were harshly criticized by both media and fans.

"It is ridiculous. It is a disaster for the domestic league and also the sport's development," Titan Sports commented.

"Due to some people's stupid orders, China's soccer is once again at the brink of death."

(China Daily 08/09/2007 page22)