Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Bangkok: Coach Zhang Haitao has urged his players to forget about China's recent disappointing performances at the AFC U-16 Championship as the two-time champions prepare to face Australia in Saturday's Group B opener at Rajamangala Stadium.
China won the second of their AFC U-16 Championship titles in 2004 having previously triumphed in 1992, but after reaching the quarter-finals in 2006, have suffered three consecutive group stage exits.
But with all four semi-finalists in Bangkok also qualifying for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Zhang is eyeing progress from Group B which also contains fellow two-time winners Japan and debutants Hong Kong.
"China have not qualified for the second round for a long time so we have made sure we have prepared well. We will try our best and get to the World Cup," said Zhang.
"No matter what has happened with China in the past, this is the first time for these players to experience this and all the players are focused mentally, physically and tactically.
"The first game will be tough, but we will try and get a good result in the first game and progress."
Australia are making their fourth appearance at the AFC U-16 Championship with Tony Vidmar's side looking to maintain their perfect record of having advanced past the group stage on all three of their previous appearances.
"We have prepared for six months with this group, but coming to this competition all the teams have improved in the past 12 months so we know it will be difficult and we will give our best to go as far as possible and qualify," said Vidmar.
"The first game is difficult especially at this age as the players can get nervous, but even if we lose, it is still possible to progress."
Also on Saturday at Rajamangala Stadium, two-time champions Japan will face debutants Hong Kong having lost the 2012 final 3-1 on penalties to Uzbekistan following a 1-1 draw in Iran.
"We started with this team a year ago and we have trained for 90 days and we think we are ready," said Japan coach Hirofumi Yoshitake.
"The first game is important. Hong Kong are well organised and it will be a tough match. The first game is important, but we think all three games are important if we are thinking about going to the next round."
Debutants Hong Kong, meanwhile, have enjoyed a significant build-up for the AFC U-16 Championship having prepared for the tournament in Spain and China and most recently in England where Xavi Bravo's side finalised their preparations at Tottenham Hotspur's training base.
"We want to be competitive in all three matches and reach the second stage," said Bravo.
"The team performed well in the qualifiers and this is a good generation. We have gained a lot of experience this year during different tournaments, but of course this level is the top level and all the teams are very strong. It will be tough, but the team is ready to be competitive."