China coach Zhu Guanghu named an experienced squad yesterday for next month's Asian Cup, headed by English Premier League players Zheng Zhi, Li Tie and Sun Jihai.
China are drawn in Group C of the tournament, and open their campaign against Malaysia.
Iran and Uzbekistan are also in Group C, which will play its preliminary round matches in Malaysia. The other three groups will be based in Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia, who are co-hosting this year's tournament. The final will be played in Indonesia.
Zheng has just completed a loan spell with relegated Charlton, Li has played for Everton and Sheffield United, while Sun plays for Manchester City.
Zhu also named Manchester United's Dong Fangzhuo as one of five forwards in the team.
The major absence from the team is Li Jinyu, a top scorer with Chinese Super League champions Shandong Luneng.
China Squad: Goalkeepers: Li Leilei, Yang Jun; Defenders: Du Wei, Sun Xiang, Zhang Yaokun, Li Weifeng, Sun Jihai, Zhang Shuai, Ji Mingyi, Cao Yang; Midfielders: Shao Jiayi, Li Tie, Zheng Zhi, Zhao Xuri, Wang Dong, Zhou Haibin, Zheng Bin, Mao Jianqing; Forwards: Han Peng, Dong Fangzhuo, Zhu Ting, Qu Bo, Wang Peng. Extras: Xin Feng, Li Yan, Xu Yunlong, Du Zhenyu, Tao Wei, Chen Dong, Zong Lei.
Brazil has four teams, more than any other country, in the expanded Club World Cup that kicked off yesterday in the US, but for SE Palmeiras, the competition holds a special meaning: winning it would provide some redemption. Under coach Abel Ferreira since 2020, Palmeiras lifted two Copa Libertadores titles, plus Brazilian league, cup and state championships. Even before Ferreira, it boasted another South American crown and 11 league titles. The only major trophy missing is a world champions’ title. Other Brazilian clubs like Fluminense FC and Botafogo FR, also in the tournament, have never won it either, but the problem for Palmeiras
Lionel Messi drew vast crowds and showed flashes of his brilliance when his Inter Miami side were held to a goalless draw by African giants Al-Ahly as the revamped FIFA Club World Cup got off to a festive start on Saturday. Fans showed up en masse for the Group A clash at the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, but Messi could not fully deliver, his best chance coming through a last-second attempt that was deflected onto the crossbar. Inter Miami next face FC Porto on Thursday in Atlanta, while Al-Ahly, who benefited from raucous, massive support, are to
Sergio Ramos on Tuesday outfoxed two Inter players and artfully headed home the first goal for Monterrey at the FIFA Club World Cup. The 39-year-old Ramos slipped through the penalty area for the score just as he did for so many years in the shirts of Real Madrid and Spain’s national team, with whom he combined smarts, timing and physicality. Ramos’ clever goal and his overall defensive play at the Rose Bowl were major factors in Monterrey’s impressive 1-1 draw against the UEFA Champions League finalists in the clubs’ first match of the tournament. “There is always a joy to contribute to the
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani on Monday wobbled through a 28-pitch first inning at home against the San Diego Padres in his first appearance on the mound since August 2023. Scheduled to throw as many as two innings, Ohtani went a single frame while allowing one run on two hits. He did not issue a walk nor strike out a batter. “Not quite happy with the results overall, but the takeaway for me is that I feel good enough to be able to make the next outing,” Ohtani said of his pitching performance. Ohtani still wound up with a positive impact
RSS