ZHAOQING, China, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- China men's national football team is looking to end the losing streak when it takes on Malaysia in an international friendly here on Saturday, with head coach Shao Jiayi expressing confidence in the team's preparations.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Friday, the 46-year-old said the team had conducted a thorough review of its disappointing performances in September and October and was determined to make a fresh start.
"Our performances during the previous international break were not good, there is no denying that. We have conducted a thorough review," Shao said. "Now that we have completed our review, we need to move forward in a better direction."
He added that the players had made a good impression during the short training camp, which began immediately after the end of the domestic league season.
"We have made thorough preparations for this match, and the players are in good condition. In the past few days of training, I have seen no signs of fatigue, either physically or mentally," Shao said.
China suffered a 3-0 defeat to New Zealand in September, before losing 5-0 to Palestine and 1-0 to Tajikistan in October, extending its losing streak to three matches.
Shao acknowledged that the team had only three days to prepare for Saturday's match, making it unrealistic to expect dramatic changes in such a short period. However, he said the players had made noticeable progress in training.
"We review training videos every day and analyze the players' performances. The players have made clear progress with each training session, which gives us confidence," he said.
Shao identified building a shared understanding among players as the coaching staff's top priority.
"Only when we have a shared understanding can we achieve consistency in execution on the pitch," he said.
He also stressed that China must play its own style regardless of the opposition, adding that fighting spirit, determination and a strong desire to win were essential qualities the national team must demonstrate.
Malaysia will be without several key players for Saturday's match. However, Shao cautioned against underestimating the visitor, noting that their squad still features a number of naturalized players, including footballers playing in Europe.
"Our preparation standards and mentality will remain unchanged, regardless of the lineup our opponents field," he said.
China striker Zhang Yuning said the players had maintained a good level of preparation despite a demanding season and were eager to make the most of the opportunity.
"Most of the players have rejoined the national team this time, and we hope to seize this opportunity to deliver a good performance," Zhang said.
He echoed Shao's call for a united approach, saying China must show fighting spirit and defend its home ground.
"Regardless of how many naturalized players Malaysia has, we must approach the opposition with the same standards," he added.
Malaysia head coach Tan Cheng Hoe acknowledged China's clear physical advantage and the higher standard of its domestic league. Despite having an incomplete squad, he expressed confidence in his team and said he believed the players could put up a competitive performance on Saturday.
"We have to be very focused, and I want my players to believe that we can compete against China tomorrow," Tan said. ■
