HONG KONG (REUTERS) - Former Arsenal and Brentford midfielder Nico Yennaris has become the first overseas-born player to be called up for the China national team after he was included in Marcello Lippi's squad for upcoming friendlies against the Philippines and Tajikistan.
Yennaris, known as Li Ke in China, was born and grew up in England and is eligible to play for China through his mother, who was born in the country.
The 26-year-old signed for Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan in January and has been granted Chinese citizenship, making him eligible for selection by Lippi as the Italian seeks to boost the fortunes of the country's struggling men's national team.
Yennaris' inclusion marks a significant shift in policy by the Chinese Football Association, which had previously resisted calls to include naturalised players in the national set-up despite it being common practice in many other countries.
However, Yennaris is one of a number of overseas-born players of Chinese descent to have joined a Chinese Super League club since the turn of the year, in a sign that the mood had changed.
The issue was also believed to be a factor in Lippi's decision to return to the helm of the team earlier this month, with the World Cup winner standing down when his contract ended following China's quarter-final Asian Cup exit in January.
Lippi's squad at the continental championship had the oldest average age of the 24 nations competing and is in desperate need of rejuvenation ahead of the country's attempt to secure a spot at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
Â
China will start their campaign to qualify for the Finals for the first time since 2002 in September, with the games against the Philippines and Tajikistan in Guangzhou on June 7 and 11 respectively the only warm-ups planned ahead of their first qualifiers.
FAS' media-rights partner begins bankruptcy process, Football
Lionel Messi All 253 Goals in La Liga New Record HD iNJRHD. Loading Unsubscribe from iNJRHD? Cancel Unsubscribe. Working Subscribe Subscribed Unsubscribe 238K.
Lionel Messi Best Skills LaLiga Santander 2017/2018 - youtube.com
MADRID: Zinedine Zidane's second spell as coach of Real Madrid got underway on Wednesday as the Frenchman took his first session at the club's training ground in Valdebebas. Zidane, who was unveiled as Santiago Solari's replacement on Monday, was all smiles as he began by addressing the whole squad, before putting them through a series of
Zinedine Zidane leads Real Madrid training for the first time
Late Ronaldo goal foils Torino. The match was being played one day before the 70th anniversary of the Superga air disaster which killed 18 Torino players and officials, wiping out the most
Malaysia lost 2-1 to an under-strength Lebanon side in their first qualification match on June 13, before salvaging a 1-1 draw when Hong Kong missed an added-time penalty.
JDT players miss start of Malaysia camp for Asian Cup
Football: Improved Denis Suarez ready to make impact, say
Manchester United sacked Jose Mourinho as manager on Tuesday morning and are expected to appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as caretaker boss for the remainder of the season. The Premier League giants
Manchester United set to appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as
World Cup winner Buffon to leave Paris Saint-Germain. By. AFP who won the World Cup in 2006 and is Italy's most-capped player with 176 appearances, did not say whether he would be retiring
Messi's motivation spurs on Barcelona, says Rakitic Date created : 30/04/2019 - 19:01 Ivan Rakitic says Messi is proving an inspiration for Barcelona ahead of Liverpool semi-final AFP
Messi's motivation spurs on Barcelona, says Rakitic - World
Tottenham Hotspur showed why manager Mauricio Pochettino is a wanted man by thrashing Everton 6-2 at Goodison Park on Sunday to close to within six points of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Spurs shine to hit Everton for six - Daily Nation
Football news - Wolves beat Bournemouth in their best top
I think the issue with VAR is simply how we perceive what the rules are. The reason so many of us 'disagree' with many of the calls made is because we just don't know the way the law is worded. The team of refs in the VAR room constantly talk to the referee as he makes calls on the pitch.
442oons - YouTube
'Caption this': Pogba deletes cryptic post after Mourinho axed Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba quickly deleted a controversial social media post of him smiling after manager Jose Mourinho was sacked by the club on Tuesday.
'Caption this': Pogba deletes cryptic post after Mourinho axed
Klopp unfazed by early FA Cup exit. It probably says much about the FA Cup's place in Klopp's list of priorities that he looked more perturbed by a hamstring injury to Dejan Lovren in the
Why Jurgen Klopp has no option but to risk another early FA
MUNICH, Germany, March 12 (Reuters) - Liverpool coach Juergen Klopp has said that the outcome of their Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich on Wednesday will not affect the Premier
Liverpool result at Bayern won't affect Premier League bid
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar