Culture & Sports
2018.12.27 12:05 GMT+8

China’s 23-man squad list for 2019 AFC Asian Cup finalized by coach Lippi

Zhu Mandan

China national men's football team have submitted the final 23-man squad list for the AFC Asian Cup as part of their preparations for January's tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Marcello Lippi's men are now in Qatar, where they will face Jordan in their final warm-up match on Friday.

China's side took four goalkeepers to Doha, but a groin injury has ruled out Tianjin Quanjian's Zhang Lu. That leaves Shanghai SIPG's Yan Junling as the likely starter, backed up by Shandong Luneng's Wang Dalei, and Beijing Guoan's 21-year-old Guo Quanbo, who is the youngest player in the final squad.

China will be in Group C alongside the Philippines, Kyrgyzstan, and South Korea and will confront Kyrgyzstan on January 7 in their first match.

Within six hours before the first formal match starts, the teams could still replace any of the registered participating players according to AFC Asian Cup's regulation.

After Wednesday's deadline, further changes to the teams can only be made in the event of injury, and Lippi feels confident that he has chosen his best 23 after losing to Iraq 2-1 in Monday's warm-up game. Now, his men will try to beat Jordan and head to the UAE on a high note.

"I am looking forward to joining the final 23-man squad, as this has been my target since early in the year. This will most likely be my last time playing in this tournament, and I will cherish every minute if the coach gives me a chance to play in the games, and I will work hard in every match." Team China's defender Yu Yang told CCTV 5 early in Haikou's training.

China's squad list:

GK: Yan Junling, Wang Dalei, Guo Quanbo

DF: Feng Xiaoting, Zhang Linpeng, Zhang Chengdong, Yu Yang, Shi Ke, Liu Yiming, Liu Yang

MF: Zheng Zhi, Wu Xi, Hao Junmin, Zhao Xuri, Jin Jingdao, Chi Zhongguo, Piao Cheng

FW: Wu Lei, Gao Lin, Yu Dabao, Yu Hanchao, Xiao Zhi, Wei Shihao

Copyright © 

RELATED STORIES