Beijing: China’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Oman on Thursday night could be a tricky affair and China must be cautious, said former Chinese striker Li Yi.
I advised the Chinese side to make sure of solid defence before they face Oman in Sharjah, UAE.
“The first thing I think China should ensure is to do a good job in defending. The Oman side is unpredictable,” he said.
“They are not as strong as Japan and Australia who can steamroll you, but you cannot also say they are a weak team as they beat Japan. In short, the game against Oman could be the trickiest one for China,” he said.
China now sits fifth with three points from four games, while Oman, who beat Japan 1-0 away in their first game in early September, collected six points to be ranked third among the six teams of Group B.
Li was concerned about the Chinese players’ physical and mental conditions after they have been together training and playing demanding games since August.
“As a former national team player, I have been through what a protracted camp could bring about — physical and mental tiredness. The mental one is more detrimental,” he noted.
It also does not help that the Chinese side has to play their home games on foreign soil due to Covid-19 restrictions, according to Li.
“If our team could play at home, then they could have just waited with ease for the arrival of weary rivals. But they will be playing the home game in Sharjah against Oman, in a neutral venue,” he added.