Shanghai
Coach Li Tie is taking a tough line with his players on and off the pitch as he attempts to rescue China’s hopes of reaching the World Cup for only a second time.
Li’s squad wrapped up a 17-day training camp in Shanghai Tuesday with a 4-0 victory over Chinese Super League (CSL) side Shanghai Shenhua in a friendly held behind closed doors.
The CSL season has been indefinitely postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, but Li has been able to gather the national squad as he attempts to stamp his authority on them.
Li, whose side also defeated former CSL champions Shanghai SIPG 4-1 in a friendly last week, said: “Although we have won the two warm-up games, I saw some problems and we still need to improve.
“The players worked very hard and I thank them for that,” added the former Everton midfielder, who succeeded Marcello Lippi as China coach in January.
“I hope that after returning to their clubs the players will always remember their identity as members of the national team and will continue to maintain high standards and strict discipline.”
Brazilian-born striker Elkeson, one of three naturalised players in China’s squad, scored a penalty in the victory over FA Cup winners Shenhua. The 43-year-old Li took over from Lippi after the Italian World Cup winner quit for a second time in November following a 2-1 loss to Syria.—APP
