China announce 23-man squad for World Cup qualifier

GUANGZHOU - China's national soccer team announced the 23-man squad on Wednesday evening for the World Cup qualifier against Guam with forwards Elkeson and Wu Lei included.

China is top of Group A after a 5-0 away victory over Maldives. Brazilian-born Elkeson joined La Liga side Espanyol striker Wu to earn their call-ups while Xu Xin, Yang Liyu and injured left back Li Lei missed out the final squad.

China will take on Guam on Thursday and are to play away at the Philippines five days later.

Following is the 23-man squad:

Goalkeepers: Yan Junling (Shanghai SIPG), Wang Dalei (Shandong Luneng), Zeng Cheng (Guangzhou Evergrande);

Defenders: Zhang Linpeng (Guangzhou Evergrande), Gao Zhunyi (Guangzhou Evergrande), Zheng Zheng (Shandong Luneng), Liu Yang (Shandong Luneng),Wang Gang (Beijing Guoan), Ji Xiang (Jiangsu Suning), Zhu Chenjie (Shanghai Shenhua), Li Shuai(Dalian Yifang);

Midfielders: Zheng Zhi (Guangzhou Evergrande), Hao Junmin (Shandong Luneng), Chi Zhongguo (Beijing Guoan), Zhang Xizhe (Beijing Guoan), Li Ke (Beijing Guoan), Wu Xi (Jiangsu Suning), Xie Pengfei (Jiangsu Suning), Yao Junsheng (Tianjin Tianhai)

Forwards: Elkeson (Guangzhou Evergrande), Wei Shihao (Guangzhou Evergrande), Yang Xu (Tianjin Tianhai), Wu Lei (Espanyol).