Hong Kong-born China international Dai Wai-tsun eyes World Cup qualifiers breakout – ‘I hope to get my first national team goal’
- The 22-year-old is tipped to star in China’s remaining group qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Oman this month
- ‘The team atmosphere is very positive, united, and I’m very confident in myself,’ says the former Hong Kong youth team player
Hong Kong-born Chinese national team player Dai Wai-tsun eyes his first international goal at their 2022 Fifa World Cup group qualifiers in the UAE next week.
The 22-year-old midfielder, who plays club football for Shenzhen FC, has two national team appearances under his belt and has been hotly tipped for a breakout performance as China hope to end their disappointing campaign on a high.
China face AFC Asian Qualifiers group B leaders Saudi Arabia at the Sharjah Stadium on March 24 and Oman at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex four days later. With just one win from eight group games, China are already out of qualifying contention.
“I hope to pressure the opponents through my own movements, reactions and passing when we’re attacking with the ball,” Dai told Sina Sports after the team’s first training session upon arrival in the UAE this week.
“I hope to get my first goal for the national team in the next two games.”
He told CCTV of his “excitement and nerves” for the “rare opportunity” at the time, with assistant coach Narciso Pezzotti reportedly calling him a “core for the next 10 years”.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers player made his Chinese international debut against Japan in a group qualifier in January.
Dai came on as a substitute in a 2-0 loss against the Asian powerhouses before earning his first start in a 3-1 loss to Vietnam days later.
Head coach Li Xiaopeng has been playing the traditionally deep-lying Dai further forward to help with attacking transitions, as more-experienced pair Xu Xin and Wu Xi are expected to handle defensive midfield duties.
The team had a training camp in Haikou, Hainan from March 3 to 16, playing friendlies against Changchun Yatai.
“Everyone’s condition is getting better and better after having three warm-up games,” Dai said.
“The team atmosphere is very positive, united, and I’m very confident in myself. I believe in the coach and the team arrangements, so I believe we will play our next two games well.”
Saudi Arabia, Japan and Australia are favoured to qualify with only the top two in the group qualifying for the Qatar World Cup in November. The third-placed team will advance to another round of inter-confederation play-offs.
Off the pitch, Dai has reportedly been in an ongoing dispute with his Chinese Super League club Shenzhen after not being paid his salary for months.
Dai reportedly filed a formal letter of complaint over overdue payments via his lawyer earlier this month. State-run media also reported that he and his lawyer filed an application with the Chinese Football Association for free agency without his club’s knowledge.
Oriental Sports Daily reported that the club was disappointed in the decision, questioning the player’s motivations and eyeing a transfer fee should he be allowed to leave.
