Gao keeps team on the ball
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Chinese soccer head coach Gao Hongbo knows what it takes to succeed at the Asian Cup with the country's youngest national team ever: A steady mindset and unity in purpose.
That approach helped China stun Kuwait's "gold generation" with a 2-0 win in the opening game, which offered the Chinese contenders a promising start to the knock-out round.
But Gao still refused to compare his players in front of the public.
"As a coach, I may praise my players inside the door, but I will never say who is the best," the 45-year-old said.
"Soccer requires teamwork and I don't want to let any player think he is the best of the team."
Instead of relying on the older players' experience, Gao gave more opportunities to the newer members. Only three out of 23 players - captain Du Wei, Zhao Xuri and Zhou Haibin - have participated in an Asian Cup with an accumulated record of eight games.
Among the young generation were 21-year-old Zhang Linpeng, who scored the opener for China in the first duel with Kuwait; and 22-year-old free-kick specialist Deng Zhuoxiang, who added a second goal to dash their opponent's hopes.
Gao also insisted there was no "main force" in the team - substitutes and the starting lineup were arranged according to each opponent's capabilities.
"We hope our players believe that if they are selected to represent the national team, they are the country's best players," he said.
"All the 23 players in Qatar are on the same level and none of them are better than their teammates."
Australian referee Benjamin Williams also made calls in favor of China. After Kuwait's Mesad Nada saw red for his flagrant foul, China escaped from a first loss when Kuwait's kick was suspected of passing the goal line.
Kuwait coach Goran Tufegdzic gave no comment to the referee's judgment after the match, although his players said the ball had past the line.
On the other side of the pitch, Chinese goalkeeper Yang Zhi claimed that he saved the goal on the line.
"I was a little nervous and made some mistakes in the match," Yang said.
"When the ball was coming, I failed to change my steps and lost the ball before it hit the line. But I know that was not a goal."
China will meet host Qatar in their second match but Gao was cautious to predict his team's performance in the group.
"Qatar has very talented individual players, while Kuwait is stronger as a whole," he said.
"It's hard to say which team is more competitive and I think we have to wait for the last game."
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