Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Xian: AFC Player of the Year nominee Zheng Zhi refused to be too downbeat after China missed an opportunity to seal their spot in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup as they were held to a goalless draw by Saudi Arabia at the Shanxi Stadium on Tuesday.
A victory would have sent China through to the finals for an 11th consecutive time but despite putting the visitors under intense pressure in a frantic conclusion, they could not make the crucial breakthrough.
"I think we can accept this result," Zheng said according to the Xinhua News Agency.
"We did not have a clear chance to score but our defence had a great performance tonight."
Zheng, who captained Guangzhou Evergrande to the 2013 AFC Champions League title, is one of three players shortlisted for Asian football’s highest individual accolade alongside Iran captain Javad Nekounam and FC Seoul skipper Ha Dae-sung.
The AFC Player of the Year will be unveiled at the at the 2013 AFC Annual Awards ceremony, which takes place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on November 26.
Photo: WSG