Players of China pose for photos before their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Asian qualifier against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 12, 2021. (Photo by Ali Khamaji/Xinhua)
Head coach Li Xiaopeng: the Chinese football team will go all out against Saudi Arabia.
SHARJAH, UAE, March 23 (Xinhua) -- China's national football team head coach Li Xiaopeng has urged his players to go all out in Thursday's World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia despite already being eliminated from the tournament.
China has already lost chances of qualifying for the World Cup with two matches remaining, while the Saudi side is only three points away from securing the berth to Qatar.
"I told the players that we have to fight for the honor of the Chinese football. The players need to go all out in the match," Li said at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
"Tomorrow's game will be very tough, our opponents want to win, and of course, we also hope to win. I will choose starting players who want to fight, dare to fight, and can fight to the end. At least we need to show the team's strong mentality and fighting spirits," Li noted.
After a disappointing 3-1 loss to Vietnam, the 47-year-old coach said that his team has gotten back on track. "All the players have been devoted to training. Their mental and physical conditions have greatly improved. I hope players can deliver their best performance in the match to obtain a good result."
The Saudi team head coach Herve Renard pointed out that his team needs to be fully concentrated to qualify for the World Cup. "Every game in the group is difficult, we respect the [Chinese] team and we have to focus on ourselves. If we have the concentration and top motivation, we can go to the World Cup," Renard stated. ■
