Du and Sun out of China's campaign
(FootballAsia)
Updated: 2004-04-26 10:18

Shanghai Shenhua starlets Du Wei and Sun Ji have both been ruled out of China's remaining two Asian Football Qualifiers due to injury.

Olympic team skipper Du is currently nursing a fractured foot suffered during training, the influential defender will now need up to two months before returning to the competitive pitch.

Sun may be in better shape but he will also need at least three weeks to recover from a shin injury, the starlet set to miss both of China's games against Korea Republic and Malaysia on May 1 and 12 respectively.

"Right from the beginning, we have made plans for the worst," said China Olympic coach Shen Xiangfu. "Since Du was pronounced injured, we have already started adjusting our tactical plans without him.

"We have little choice but to allow both of them to return to their club. We will now speak to the medical team and see what sort of arrangements could be made to help both of them return to full fitness as soon as possible.

"We will then present a formal explanation to every party concerned."

Du, the defender who was one of several players who stood out for China at the 2002 World Cup Finals, was disappointed to miss the Olympic side’s remaining two games.

"I have had prepared myself for this," said Du. "I have had the injury for awhile now and I silently know I will not be able to take to the pitch.

"I am very disappointed but I am confident my team-mates will be able to play well even without me."