Bundesliga striker fit for Cup qualifier debut

KUNMING, Yunnan province: German Bundesliga club Energie Cottbus striker Shao Jiayi has returned to China for his international debut under coach Vladimir Petrovic in today's World Cup qualifier against Australia, looking to inspire the team to a much-needed home win.

"I am now fully fit and I hope I can deliver something to the team," said Shao, who has played in two league matches since returning from an injury that sidelined him for nearly six months. "Having played two league matches helped me keep in competitive form."

Having missed China's opening 1-1 qualifier draw against Iraq last month, Shao is excited for his first major international tie.

"I am a freshman here under the coach. But I know lots of my teammates very well. I have been anticipating such an important match and hoping to fight out a good result."

Shao's return should give a boost to China's thinly spread offense, which had to rely heavily on England Championship club Charlton midfielder Zheng Zhi in its first match.

"I am so glad two of our best players are fit to join the team. I am confident they will play quality soccer like what they have proved in Europe," said coach Petrovic.

Zheng and Shao are among three Europe-based players named to the 25-man squad. According to yesterday's training, Zheng and Shao will lead the starting lineup, while Manchester City defender Sun Jihai will await his chances from the bench.

Petrovic insists his team is not taking Australia lightly, but the high altitude of the match and injuries to some of Australia's key players make the coach confident of China's chances.

"We respect our opponent but we are not afraid of them at all," Petrovic said. "We prepared a lot and made some tune-ups technically against Australia. We will be working together and will fight for a best result."

Australia will be without prolific Celtic striker Scott McDonald, Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, Karlsruhe striker Josh Kennedy, winger Mile Sterjovski and Blackburn wingback Brett Emerton.

The Socceroos also endured an embarrassing goalless draw against Singapore in a warm-up match on Saturday.

China lost the latest encounter with Australia 2-0 in a warm-up match last March.

But Shao, who played in last March's loss, said today's clash is a completely different situation.

"It was a warm-up before last year's Asian Cup. Both teams were not at their best and fully concentrated. Now it's a World Cup qualifier and the whole (China) team started the preparation in high altitude almost a month ago."

China has been in decline since reaching the 2002 World Cup and 2004 Asian Cup final tournaments, with an early exit at last year's regional competition.

Australia also flopped at the Asian Cup but is considered the most feared team in the region after reaching the second round at the 2006 World Cup. It defeated Qatar 3-0 in the opening qualifier last month.

(China Daily 03/26/2008 page24)