China, who has chalked up 10 points from three wins and one draw, is heading the group ahead of Qatar, 8 points, the UAE, 7, Uzbekistan, 6, and Oman, 2. All these teams have played five games.

Milutinovic, who coached the Chinese team to beat the UAE 3-0 in a home match last month in Shenyang, told the Chinese press here after a training session that he hopes to get three points to cement the leading position.

"If we played well up to our standard, we are able to beat them again, but the hot and humid weather is not a favorable factor for us. I will be quite satisfied with a draw," said the Yugoslav who guided four different teams into the World Cup finals during his magic coaching career.

The Chinese team, who appears the strongest of the group and set to qualify for the finals in its seventh campaign, arrived here three days ago.

Thursday's game is set to determine the fate of the Chinese team. If China wins the game, it will put itself in a very favorable position. With 13 points in hands, China will has an easy road to roll over the lowly Oman in a home game on October 7.

Then China will take on its arch rival Qatar on home soil on October 15. A draw will secure the Chinese to qualify for the finals.

"If everything goes smoothly, I believe the Chinese people can fulfill their dream before their team plays against Uzbekistan in their last battle," said Milutinovic.

But the UAE, which had changed its head coach recently after managing four points from four games, rekindled their hope following a 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan last week.

UAE had a secret training session Tuesday evening at the Al Wahda's Al Nahyan stadium, where Thursday's game will be played.

The home team will play against the Chinese squad without two key players, who were booked two yellow cards each in the last battle.

The Chinese team also will feature a line-up without talented goalkeeper Jiang Jing and a left defender Wu Chengying. Jiang injured one of his figures early this month and Wu was suspended for one game through two yellow cards.

A reporter asked if the tense situation in the region has any effect on the Chinese players. The coach said: "I'm not in a position to answer this kind of question. As a coach, I'm only worrying about the soccer game now."

The Chinese team plans to return home Friday on a route of Dubai, Singapore and Beijing.

A dozen of Chinese reporters who have booked return tickets from China Nanfang Airline, were told on Tuesday that their return flights had been canceled because the possibility of the war.

(Xinhua News Agency 09/26/2001)