China prepares for Asian Cup semi-final showdown

Updated：2007-06-26 From：Xinhuanet

BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese national soccer team coach Zhu Guanghu revealed that he had already made preparations for the semi-final match at the upcoming AFC Asian Cup finals in July.

"We have studied our group match rivals and set different tactics to face them," said Zhu after Monday morning's training session.

"We've also studied our possible quarter-final opponents and that of the semi-final. We focus on how to control and contain them to greatest extent under extreme hot and damp weather of Southeast Asia."

Chinese players are training in a harmonious atmosphere, which satisfies the boss.

"You can feel that the team is unprecedentedly united. That's a prerequisite for overcoming troubles in any big tournament."

"There are no big injuries within the team. Only Sun Jihai and Sun Xiang have some old injuries, but they can still play."

China's target is to reach the last four at the Asian Cup. They will meet co-hosts Malaysia in their first group match on July 10.