China midfielder Li Xiaopeng fit for Qatar match in Asian Cup

Midfielder Li Xiaopeng, who pulled his left leg in China's Asian Cup opening match against Bahrain last Saturday, said on Friday that has regained fittness and is available for their last Group A match against Qatar Sunday.

Starting in the central midfield against Bahrain, Li linked well with the forwards and the defenders before suffering the injury in the 35th minute.

The 29-year-old was replaced by Shao Jiayi, who plays with German Bundesliga side Munich 1860, and announced later that he would miss the remaining Asian Cup matches.

"I have almost fully recovered," he said after a training session with the Chinese team.

But he must fight hard with Shao to win back his starting place on Sunday.

Shao was the most glittering star in China's 5-0 win over Indonesia on Wednesday, scoring two and made a third at the Worker's Stadium to lift China to top Group A standings.

Asked by reporters whether he can start against Qatar, Li, who plays with Shandong Luneng, shrugged: "It's up to Shao."