The new Chinese team should forget their past problems and go 'all out' to earn a place in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, said newly appointed national coach Zhu Guanghu.
Zhu, fresh off a victorious Chinese Super League season with Shenzhen Jianlibao, revealed his goal in Beijing on his first public appearance since being appointed as Arie Haan's replacement.
The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has named a 24-member squad for a week-long training camp in Qingyuan, Guangdong, this week to prepare for two friendlies in Europe later this month.
China are due to play Spain on March 26 and Ireland on March 29.
'Through this tour, as well as the East Asia Football Championship in July, I hope we can restore some confidence,' said Zhu, referring to the national side's early exit from the 2006 World Cup Asian qualifying last November, which led to the departure of Haan.
'My ultimate goal is to take China to the 2010 World Cup. Chinese players should shrug off the memories of past failures, refresh their minds and go all out to stage a successful qualifying campaign for the South African tournament.'