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Japan, China prepare for showdown in Asian Cup final
2004-08-07
BEIJING - Amid heavy security in Beijing, host China and defending champion Japan readied Saturday for their showdown in the final of the Asian Cup, the continent's most important soccer championship.More than 5,000 police and soldiers are expected to be on hand at Worker's Stadium in the heart of the sprawling city of Beijing, following harassment of Japanese players and fans at previous matches - the latest expression of widespread Chinese resentment of Japan. Fans from across China, some of them in traditional Chinese robes and other elaborate costumes, began gathering at the stadium gates by midmorning, hours before the 8:00 p.m. (1200 GMT) match was scheduled to start. Most said the security fears were overblown. ``There won't be any trouble because Chinese aren't like that. We don't have soccer hooligans like in Europe,'' said Zhang Zhengjie a Beijing office worker, who like many was seeking a ticket to the sold-out game. Yet the tournament rivalry has given vent to anti-Japanese sentiments in China that are stoked by frequent confrontational reports in Chinese state media. Chinese fans have booed during Japan's national anthem and hung banners demanding Tokyo apologize for its World War II invasion of China. Japanese fans have been pelted with garbage, although no serious violence has been reported. At their pre-game news conference on Friday, coaches Ari Haan of China and Zico of Japan urged fans to just enjoy the game. ``It will be a good party tomorrow. Everybody has to enjoy - that's the reason we go to soccer,'' said Haan, a Dutchman who has led China's national team for the past two years. Brazilian-born Zico called the game ``a symbol of peace.'' China's Foreign Ministry and state media also called for calm after Beijing's ambassador to Tokyo promised Japan that Chinese authorities would restrain rowdy, anti-Japanese fans during the final. Still, the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on Friday cautioned Japanese in China not to wear their blue national team jerseys or carry firecrackers or banners with confrontational slogans to the final. Playing in its first-ever Asian Cup final, China will be fielding a squad that has conceded just three goals while overcoming traditional soccer powers such as Iran, who took third place in the competition after defeating Bahrain 4-2 on Friday. Japan has only lost twice to China in their last ten meetings and has won all three of their previous Asian Cup matchups. Although Japan missing several stars, defender Yuji Nakazawa has been a standout at both ends of the field, scoring three goals in the tournament. China's fiery striker Shao Jiayi, who plays for 1860 Munich in Germany, has also emerged as a force in the revitalized Chinese squad with three tournament goals. However, veteran striker Hao Haidong, the linchpin of the Chinese attack, will be a reduced threat after suffering a gash to the head against Iran that took five stitches to close. Captain Li Weifeng is also doubtful for the game with a leg injury. Squads: China: Liu Yunfei, Sun Xiang, Zhang Yaokun, Zheng Zhi, Shao Jiayi, Sun Jihai, Zheng Bin, Hao Haidong, Li Yi, Wei Xin, Xu Yulong, Li Weifeng, Zhao Junzhe, Ji Mingyi, Li Xiaopeng, Zhang Shuo, Li Ming, Yan Song, Li Jian, Zhou Haibin, Zhou Ting, Li Jinyu. Japan: Seigo Narazaki, Makoto Tanaka, Yasuhito Endo, Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, Koji Nakata, Mitsuo Ogasawara, Shunsuke Nakamura, Takayuki Suzuki, Yoichi Doi, Alessandro Santos, Takashi Fukunishi, Toshiya Fujita, Atsuhiro Miura, Naoki Matsuda, Masashi Motoyama, Keiji Tamada, Akira Kaji, Yuji Nakazawa, Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, Norihiro Nishi, Takayuki Chano, Takuya Yamada.
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