GROUP C / CHINA

*--* World Cup record: Debut Best finish: Debut 1998 showing: Did not qualify Coach: Bora Milutinovic. The former Yugoslavian national team player has coached the U.S., Mexico, Costa Rica and Nigeria in the World Cup Players to watch: Fan Zhiyi, Li Tie, Hao Haidong In brief: It took the Chinese 44 years to qualify for their first World Cup and the players are apologizing even before the tournament begins. “We can’t deny that in the World Cup we are a new army and a weak team,” the players said in an open letter intended to ward off public outcry should they fail. “Insufficient skills and experience means we are destined not to go far.” That says it all. The speed, aggression and intensity of the World Cup will overwhelm the Chinese Quick quote: “He [Milutinovic] is a very kind, very amusing old man, but he is also a coach of high caliber.”--Zhiyi Forecast: After taking four countries to the second round, Milutinovic’s luck is due to run out in the first round

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