China recalls four overseas players for Asian qualifier

BEIJING, Aug 1 (Reuters) China has recalled four Europe-based players for August's Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore, a state newspaper reported today.

Energie Cottbus midfielder Shao Jiayi, Royal Antwerp striker Dong Fangzhuo, Manchester City defender Sun Jihai and former Everton midfielder Li Tie were named in the Chinese Football Association's 26-man squad, the Beijing News said.

China top Group E on goals scored after two matches, a win against Palestine followed by a loss to Iraq, and they will be hoping to bolster their qualification chances with a victory over Singapore in the northern port city of Tianjin on August 16.

All four teams in the group stand on three points after two matches, with the top two advancing to next year's finals co-hosted by Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

The 2004 Asian Cup runner-up will also play a warm-up friendly against Thailand on August 10.

Fiery midfielder Zheng Zhi, serving a three-match suspension from international fixtures after verbally abusing and spitting at a referee in the away leg of an Asian Champions League game in Saudi Arabia last September, was omitted from the squad.

The 26-year-old player for Super League club Shandong Luneng, recently avoided league discipline after verbally attacking a linesman who refused to shake his hand following Shandong's 7-2 victory over Shenyang Ginde on Saturday, the paper said.

REUTERS PM RN1502