China will play military-ruled Myanmar in a politically charged World Cup qualifier today on neutral ground in Malaysia after the venue was switched in the wake of the junta's violent crackdown on dissent.
FIFA, soccer's world governing body, said the second-round clash, which was to be played in Myanmar's main city Yangon, was changed after the Myanmar Football Federation and the Chinese Football Association requested it be played on neutral ground.
Local soccer officials said the game was moved for security reasons. They did not specify what those concerns were, but there have been suggestions that clashes between supporters could break out.
Ahmad Fuad Daud, head of the competition unit with the Football Association of Malaysia said about 200 policemen would be deployed to ensure security at the 25,000 capacity stadium in Cheras, just south of the capital Kuala Lumpur.
"We will also have anti-riot police on standby. We do not expect any violence," he said after the China-Myanmar team managers' meeting yesterday.
Ahmad Fuad said at least 10,000 supporters, mainly fans of the Myanmar team, are expected at the stadium for the match which kicks off at 4pm today.
Myanmar are hoping for a win but know they face a difficult task, team treasurer Tham Zaw said.
"The Chinese players are tall, but we will try our best to win. I urge Myanmar people living in Malaysia to come and support their team," he said, adding he did not anticipate any violence.
"I don't think there will be any trouble. Sports is sports. There must not be any political influence," he said.
China is a close ally of the junta, which triggered global outrage by suppressing mass anti-government rallies led by Buddhist monks. It supplies the ruling generals with military hardware in exchange for natural resources.
Malaysia is home to tens of thousands of Myanmar citizens, both refugees and legal and illegal workers.
China, who performed badly in the recent Asian Cup tournament, failing to advance into the quarter-finals for the first time in 27 years, will be going all-out for another big win against Myanmar.
They won 7-0 in the first leg in Foshan, in southern Guangdong Province, and only have to avoid losing 8-0 to be guaranteed a place in the next round of Asia's qualifiers.
Vladimir Petrovic, who declared he was not satisfied even with the lopsided scoreline against Myanmar in Guangdong, is expected to field his best 11 players.
"The players felt a little bit nervous at the beginning, but gradually they got into form and scored goals," said the Serb after the first-round encounter. "I'm not satisfied with the finishing and the midfield, the players wasted too many chances to score."
The Chinese team arrived in Malaysia late on Friday and began light workouts yesterday ahead of the game at the Bukit Jalil Stadium on the fringes of Kuala Lumpur.
Brazilian Marcos Falopa, the Myanmar coach whose team was humiliated by China, has admitted winning today might be a tall order but his players would try to prevent another Chinese whitewash.
"China is a strong team. Our players did their best, but we could not compete with them in physique or technique," he said.
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