China's premier league not the answer: Haan

Home>>Sports

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, April 07, 2004

China's premier league not the answer: Haan

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

The new Chinese Premier League, which kicks off next month, will not significantly improve the level of soccer in the country because there will not be enough competitive games, China national coach Arie Haan said.

Fifteen teams competed in the old first division, but the number has been reduced to 12 as China Football Association officials attempt to streamline the league to and attract more fans and sponsors.

"In China they will be only playing 22 league games in a season,compared with 34 in some European countries for example," Haan said in the Asian Football Confederation's official website Footballasia.com, which quoted the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post. "That is just not enough."

Haan said that to make up for the lack of competitive games he would be trying to line up tough friendly matches to sharpen the national team. "But in reality that is very difficult to do".

"We will be going to Europe and South America but the top teamsthere have a different problem in that they are playing too much competitive football," he said. "So when it comes to friendly games you end up playing second teams or not having really competitive games."

In a wide ranging interview, Haan touched on China's World Cup qualifying campaign, admitting that the team would have to improveafter two less than convincing wins.

"Where do we have weaknesses? I do not talk about specific players, but everywhere I would say. There is still a lot of workto do," said the Dutchman, who added that he would be resting striker Hao Haidong in coming friendlies in Europe and looking at younger options.

Hao, 33, has popped up with late headers against both Hong Kongand Kuwait, but Haan said he needed to find younger blood to spearthe attack.

"I have told [Hao] that he's an important part of the team, andI will be calling on him when I need him to do a job, but we need to look to the future and give the younger players around a chanceto develop," he said.

"It's too early to tell who will make the grade," Haan said. "But I believe there are a few players around who could really comeon given the right opportunity."

Source: Xinhua

Questions?Comments? Click here

Twelve teams to play inaugural Chinese Premier League

Chinese Premier League old wine in new bottle

Israel's killing of Yassin fuels conflict: Commentary ( 2 Messages)

How the US could improve its image abroad ( 14 Messages)

US urged not to fingerprint Chinese ( 10 Messages)

China hunts corrupt officials who abscond overseas ( 3 Messages)

Seven Chinese activists land on Diaoyu Islands ( 4 Messages)