China go into the Asian Cup urgently needing to pull out of a dizzying free-fall after a series of embarrassing results which have sent coach Zhu Guanghu heading for the exit.

Any optimism from finishing second in 2004 has long evaporated with China, soundly beaten by Australia and the United States and even humbled by Thailand in warm-up matches, told only a semi-final place will save Zhu's job.

With key players either clubless or uncertain of weekly starting spots, China are up against it in a tough Group C featuring three-times champions Iran, co-hosts Malaysia and Uzbekistan, Asia's fifth-ranked team.

Their backs to the wall, Zhu said his players were "going crazy" in training as they bid to make amends on the big stage, starting on July 10 against co-hosts Malaysia.

"They are going crazy during training. They are shouting and screaming at each other and trying to encourage each other. It's amazing," Zhu said.

Captain Zheng Zhi also voiced hope China, despite results like the 4-1 thrashing by the United States, would turn it on against Asian opposition.

"I know that the national squad have shown some indifferent form in the past few friendlies but we are still on the right track and I believe we will be fully prepared when the Asian Cup starts," Zheng said.

"I am hopeful of reaching the semi-finals or even the final and will be doing my utmost to help the national team achieve that goal."

Despite the bullish words it's a far cry from 2004, when on home soil China were beaten to their first title 3-1 by Japan -- whose 'hand of Koji Nakata' second goal triggered demonstrations by thousands of angry fans.

Many assumed China, who had made their World Cup debut two years earlier, were on their way to becoming a regional football powerhouse.

But instead they have made a great leap backwards, failing to reach last year's World Cup under Arie Haan and slipping to 76th in the FIFA rankings since Zhu took over in early 2005.

Frustrations boiled over in March when Zhu's car was attacked by dozens of furious fans as he left a match. After the 1-0 defeat to Thailand in May, and with the Asian Cup looming, he was told to reach the last four "or else."

With Iran odds-on to make the top two, China's July 18 shoot-out with Uzbekistan is shaping up as the crunch fixture in the tournament's 'group of death.'

While there is no shortage of talent, many of China's top players are unsettled with captain Zheng leaving relegated Charlton Athletic and defender Sun Xiang shown the door by PSV Eindhoven.

Youthful forward Dong Fangzhuo recently made his Manchester United debut but Du Wei's Celtic stint proved short-lived and Li Tie's Sheffield United have dropped a division, leaving Manchester City's Sun Jihai as the only Premier League regular.

Although China's pedigree should see them to the knock-out phase, their biggest problem appears to be a lack of cohesion and tactical nous, for which Zhu takes full responsibility.

"My head is on the block but I don't care as long as the pressure is on me and not on the team," Zhu said. "If they play well or badly, it's down to me."

Football is hugely popular in China but, unlike other sports, achievements have yet to match expectations with the troubled domestic league plagued by corruption and crowd problems.

The team will count on strong support in Malaysia, where a sizeable ethnic Chinese community will be optimistic that the slump cannot last forever.

(China Daily via Agencies July 4, 2007)