China are aiming to use Thursday's match with England to help prepare for this December's Asian Cup finals and the 1998 World Cup qualifying rounds.
Chinese national head coach Qi Wusheng told Sports Post that they would use the exhibition match at the Beijing Workers' Stadium against the Euro 96 hosts as a learning experience. Qi said: 'England are a world-class team. They are one of the top sides in Europe. We are using this match to find out about modern football. There are a lot of things we can learn from the English team. Their players have stronger physical fitness and higher speed.' The 20-man China squad, who lost 2-1 to the Italian side Lazio last Thursday at the Workers' Stadium, fly to Holland next Monday to play against the Dutch national side - another Euro 96 contender.
National goalkeeper Ou Chuliang, 22, who plays with Hongyuan, said: 'There is no doubt England are much stronger than us. We will try our best since we don't get many chances to play against one of the world's top sides.
'But the most important thing for us is to get through to the World Cup finals in France. We can't afford to let our people down once again. Our Olympic team have already failed in the Atlanta Olympics qualifying rounds. If we don't reach the 1998 World Cup, people will lose interest in Chinese football.' National skipper Xu Hong said the English side should be happy with the condition of the pitch after repairs were ordered by England manager Terry Venables who criticised its unevenness.
Shandong defender Wang Dongning , who played for the Hong Kong First Division side Happy Valley in the 1993-94 season, said: 'It is unlikely we will beat England. We will be the top side of Asia if we do,' he said.
'Our ultimate goals are the Asian Cup and the World Cup. We can improve ourselves through the forthcoming exhibition matches.' China's national team captain, coaches and the clubs of the players will earn mobile phones if they beat England in Thursday's game, a Chinese Football Association official said. Ericsson (China) are offering 40 telephones each worth about $12,000.
