Fan Zhiyi - ready ahead of Costa Rica test (Allsport)
80 MILLION CHINESE WAIT FOR FAN-FARE
By Peter Whitfield, PA Sport, Yokohama
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Dundee defender Fan Zhiyi has urged his China team-mates to "believes in
themselves" as they prepare to launch their World Cup campaign against Costa
Rica in Gwangwu on Tuesday.
China qualified for the World Cup for the first time last year and the
nation's 80 million soccer fans are praying they can make the second round.
Zhiyi, at 32 one of China's most experienced players, reckons confidence
holds the key to progress.
"It's no good if you're too nervous or too relaxed. I just want to tell our
players to believe in themselves," said Zhiyi.
"Strong teams cannot say for sure they will beat weak teams. In a match, you
shouldn't think too much about whether you'll win or lose or draw. You just need
to perform at your usual level."
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Yang Chen said: "China's advantage is we are fast
and relatively flexible.
"Our disadvantage is that we have no experience at the World Cup as this is
our first time."
Defender Sun Jihai, who set a record for a Chinese player with his
£2.85million move to Manchester City, said: "I think some nerves and a bit of
pressure is good.
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