Depleted China prepare for Iran clash

After the friendly against Iran, China will cross swords with FIFA World Cup quarter-finalists Paraguay on September 7 at Nanjing.

The Chinese Super League is on a two-week break during this period.

Injured striker Qu Bo and first-choice goalkeeper Zheng Cheng, together with midfielders Deng Zhuoxiang and Yu Hanchao all reported for training on Tuesday but have only a slim chance of making it to the squad.

Jeonbuk Motors’ Feng Xiaoting, who is the only foreign-based player in the team, and former PSV Eindhoven midfielder Zhou Haibin are both doubtful starters due to tiredness, according to the team doctor.

Meanwhile, Gao Lin, Sun Xiang and Zheng Linfan, who ply their trade in the Chinese First Division, have both opted out because of club commitments during the weekend.

Dubbed “China’s Peter Crouch” for their similarity in height, 196cm tall Wuhan youngster Tan Yang might well make his national team debut against Iran.

Despite a 1-0 victory over Iran in a friendly not long ago, China head coach Gao Hongbo dares not to think big considering his team’s problems.

“Iran are one of the big teams in Asia and a very strong opponent. I can’t really predict the outcome of this match,” said Gao.

“Our main objective is preparing ourselves well for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ challenge. This is what matters most, he said.

China are in Group A for the continental showpiece with Kuwait, hosts Qatar and Uzbekistan.

Ranked 77 in the world, China have never won the AFC Asian Cup. They finished runners-up in the 1984 and 2004 editions.