CFA to ensure naturalized players' arrival in Japan on time

SHANGHAI - The Chinese national football team has departed from Shanghai to Tokyo on Sunday for World Cup qualifier against Japan on January 27.

According to a source with the Chinese Football Association (CFA), apart from the 54 members of the team who set off from Shanghai, Spainish La Liga side Espanol forward Wu Lei as well as naturalized players Jiang Guangtai, Fei Nanduo, Luo Guofu and A Lan will join the team in Tokyo on the same day.

However, Luo, Fei and A Lan have been stuck in Amsterdam due to flight cancellation.

According to the source, the CFA urgently communicated with the Dutch immigration authorities and airlines to seek solutions.

The national team decided to book the earliest flight from Amsterdam to Japan for the players, said the source.

"The coaching group and the working team are keeping contact with the players via video. The CFA understands the players' concern and will ensure their arrival in Japan on time," said the source.