(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-09-28 09:49

"He probably has his own strategies and I think there will be more physical demands on me in the new strategy," Yao said.

"But it is just a change of strategy and I don't think that the physical aspects will be a problem, so I think that I will find my position in the new situation."

Back home, Yao is crucial to the country's dream of making the top eight at the Beijing Olympics, and admitted the team was under great pressure.

"Our goal in 2008 is to be in the top eight," he said.

"We have a lot of pressure but it is impossible not to have pressure for the Olympics. In fact the pressure helps us address the challenges and is driving us on."

He said players like Yi Jianlian, who has signed a three-year contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, will boost the national team's standard of play.

"He has a long way to go but after joining the Bucks he opened a new window for his career and his standards of play will rise and he will bring that extra ability to the national team," Yao said.

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