The two players out are two goalkeepers Chen Dong and Zong Lei, who are expected to stay in Malaysia for group stage competition.

Zhu Guanghu, head coach of China's national soccer team instructs his players during a training session in the run-up to 2007 Asian Cup in Kuala Lumpur July 8, 2007. China will play against host Malaysia in the first pool stage game July 10. [Xinhua]

Three European-based players were all included in the 23-member list, including Sun Jihai of Manchester City, Dong Fangzhuo of Manchester United and Li Tie of Sheffield United.

The following is 23-member list.

Goalkeepr: Li Leilei; Yang Jun/ Denfenders: Ji Mingyi; Sun Jihai; Sun Xiang; Du Wei; Zhang Yaokun; Li Weifeng; Zhang Shuai;/ Midfielders: Zheng Zhi; Li Tie; Mao Jianqing; Zhou Haibing; Wang Dong; Zhao Xunri; Zheng Bing; Shao Jiayi; Cao Yang;/Forwards: Dong Fangzhuo; Han Peng; Qu Bo; Zhu Ting; Wang Peng.