BEIJING - Using the 2011 Asian Cup as a tune-up for the 2014 World Cup, China will send its youngest ever national squad to Qatar, as the team announced its final 23-man roster on Tuesday.

With an average age of 24, the team is the youngest in men's senior team history and includes only one overseas-based player, Hao Junmin.

According to senior officials from the Chinese Football Association (CFA), the aim is for the team to reach the knockout round of the Asian Cup and build up confidence for its World Cup campaign.

"As we have stated many times, the ultimate goal for this young senior team is to make the 2014 World Cup finals. The Asian Cup is just a test," Cao Jingwei, head of the CFA's management department of national teams, told China Daily.

Some notable absentees from the lineup include centerback Feng Xiaoting, who suffered an injury, and wing Feng Renliang, who was dropped from the squad for lying about his age.

This roster also appears to indicate the end of the national careers of veterans Zheng Zhi, Li Weifeng and Sun Xiang.

China has been drawn in a tough group with Qatar, Kuwait and Uzbekistan and the local media is not expecting anything special from the young squad. However, Cao believes it will be a great learning experience for the side.

"The team is young but eager to unite and fight for glory. That's why we have sent it to be tested on Asia's top stage," Cao said.

"Although our group opponents are all strong teams, we have a great chance to advance to the knockout phase since the team is in hot form after winning three consecutive warm-up matches."

The day after the event kicks off, on Jan 7, 2011, China will meet Kuwait, which won the 2010 Gulf Cup tournament on Dec 6. Four days later, the young contingent will challenge host Qatar before it meets Uzbekistan, which upset China 3-0 at the same event in 2007.

Under the guidance of head coach Gao Hongbo, the team has achieved a series of solid results recently.

It has won seven of its 12 warm-up games this year and claimed the East Asian Football Championship title in January.

However, Wei Di, China's soccer chief, urged fans to rein in their expectations.

"We are confronting a hard situation in the group stage. We should concentrate on competing in every single minute of the event," said Wei.

"Although the team's performance has been satisfactory during the warm-up matches, the real challenge is yet to come."

China Daily

(China Daily 12/30/2010 page22)