China's 27-men squad for Asian Cup released

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Chinese Super League (CSL) 2018 Golden Boot winner Wu Lei has been named in China's 27-man squad for next year's Asian Cup.

Joining Wu in the list announced on Tuesday by the Chinese Football Association are his club teammates – goalkeeper Yan Junling and fullback Shi Ke – from Shanghai SIPG, the league champions of the just-concluded season.

Wu, 27, netted 27 goals in 30 matches to become the first local player to win the CSL best scorer award since 2007.

Guangzhou Evergrande, the seven-time CSL title winners from 2011 to 2017, have seven players in the squad, including 38-year-old midfield veteran Zheng Zhi.

The Chinese national soccer team /VCG Photo

But only 23 names will make into the final squad for the Asian Cup, which will take place in the United Arab Emirates from January 5 to February 1.

China, who are in Group C, which also features South Korea, Kyrgyzstan and the Philippines, will open their group campaign against Kyrgyzstan on January 7.

(Top photo: CSL best scorer Wu Lei /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency