'Der Kaiser' helps China put on its game face

Franz Beckenbauer says China is putting its best foot forward in ramping up efforts to ensure future international soccer success.

"Young players represent the future of football and are going to be the backbone of the national squad, so it is the right call for China to enhance its development of the youth game," the 69-year-old German legend told China Daily last week.

Beckenbauer - one of only two men to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager - was making his fifth tour of China. After watching a youth club training session in Beijing, he said he was impressed by the nation's efforts to improve the sport.