Camacho ready for debut show

Updated: 2011-09-01 22:32

(Xinhua)

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KUNMING, Yunnan Province - Spanish tactician Jose Antonio Camacho said he was ready for the debut in the post of Chinese national football team as his side had prepared well for the clash against Singapore in the World Cup Asian qualifier on Friday.

"I cannot forecast how many goals we will score tomorrow, but I can promise you will see a team in good shape from the first minute," said the former boss of both Spain and Real Madrid on Thursday afternoon.

Camacho also brought the new captain Li Weifeng along with him in the pre-game press conference. He believed the most capped and experienced player should wear the band despite the other leading defender Du Wei was the skipper in the past two years under the domestic coach Gao Hongbo before the Spaniard.

"I never think that I can sit here and again become the captain," said the 32-year-old veteran, who was the first choice central defender in China's only one-time progress to the World Cup finals in 2002.

"Thanks a lot for the belief from the coach. I don't want to talk more today, there are lots of work needed to be done. I will try my best," added Li, who will get his 110 caps for the national side on Friday night.

Camacho took the challenging job in last month as he was the seventh foreigner to coach China, with Yugoslav Bora Milutinovic among the predecessors being the only coach who finished the contract by leading the team to the South Korea/Japan World Cup.

Training only ten days with the football underachiever, Camacho said it was enough for him and his side to beat a low-profile Singapore. In the past nine FIFA A-Class meets, China was unbeaten with seven wins and two draws.

"All their tactics are sending the ball to the number nine player to score. I believe my players are strong enough to limit his space," Camacho showed his confidence to the opener.

"After it, I can know better about my players. Then we will make some adjustments and concentrate on the next opponent Jordan," he added.

Camacho coached Spain from 1998 to 2002 when the current European and world champion advanced to the quarterfinals of both Euro 2000 and 2002 World Cups.

Nine years later, he coached his second national team in career to play for the berths of the world cup finals.

"It was a big challenge. We need time and all round supports from football association and clubs. We are confident it will be a good ending," said Camacho, who shouldered the Chinese hopes of making the Brazil World Cup finals under a three-year contract with Chinese football association.

As the seeded team, China is pooled together with Jordan, Iraq and Singapore in Group A in the 20-team Asian qualifying campaign for the World Cup finals.

Top two teams of each group will advance to the next stage, with 10 teams to be divided into two groups to fight for four direct qualifying spots. The two third placed sides will face off, with the winner taking on a fifth placed team from South America.