Building a Strong National Team and Securing Crucial Victories in Upcoming Qualifiers

Branko Ivankovic Aims to Lead Team China to World Cup Glory

Newly appointed head coach for Team China, Branko Ivankovic, has set his sights on steering the team to the FIFA World Cup finals. The 70-year-old Croatian coach expressed his confidence in the squad's ability to regain its footing and achieve this ambitious goal.

"Our first objective is to advance to the next round of qualification," Ivankovic stated at his inaugural press conference in Tianjin. "However, our ultimate aim is to build a formidable national team capable of reaching the World Cup finals."

Ivankovic acknowledged China's significant investments in soccer while recognizing the need for improved results. He expressed his belief in the Chinese team's potential to reclaim its position within Asian football and highlighted the progress made by Chinese players.

Ivankovic's immediate task is to secure victories in the upcoming back-to-back qualifier matches against Singapore on March 21st and 26th. The national team will face Singapore in the first qualifier before returning to Tianjin for the home game.

The coach's contract includes a performance-based clause, allowing the Chinese Football Association (CFA) to terminate the agreement if the team experiences an early exit during qualification.

Ivankovic expressed his pride in leading Team China and his confidence in achieving better performance and results, fulfilling the hopes of the fans. He acknowledged the significant responsibility and challenges associated with the position and expressed his commitment to meeting expectations with the support of his coaching team.

Team China commenced its second round of World Cup qualifying campaign in November with a 2-1 victory over Thailand, followed by a 3-0 defeat to South Korea. China currently sits third in Group C.

"Our preparation time is limited," Ivankovic acknowledged, "and the Chinese Super League has just begun. The players are not at their peak. We need a training camp to adjust them to their optimal condition.