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Victory helps lift Chinese gloom ahead of Asian Cup

China coach Zhu Guanghu was confident of reaching the Asian Cup knock-out stages after an intensive training program yielded a fluent victory here.

Two spectacular long-range strikes by Zhao Xuri and Shao Jiayi against the FIFA World Stars lifted Chinese gloom after a prolonged slump which has left them as outsiders for their first regional title.

China have been "going crazy" in training as they approach a tough Group C including Iran, Uzbekistan and Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Zhu said earlier.

"The team got together on June 22, since then we've been practising together. So far I feel that I'm pretty happy with the progress and I think we will be ready for the Asian Cup when we fly to Malaysia on July 5 [Thursday]," Zhu said.

"We always train with a specific program and these two goals are obviously very good. Every team in our group has a chance but I'm confident of getting through," he said.

China played half the match with players from Hong Kong, symbolizing unity on the 10th anniversary on Sunday of Beijing taking control of the former British colony.

Zhu said he was still undecided on his first-choice team with some of his players carrying knocks or lacking match fitness.

"At the moment I have it in mind but not definitely. Some players are injured and some haven't played much," he said. "I feel that the team have done what I wanted them to do. I'm generally happy to have this opportunity to have this match."

China play their final warm-up against Melbourne Victory tomorrow before facing Malaysia next Tuesday.
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