World Cup: Arie Hann confident in beating HK
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-03-30 09:07

Arie Haan, head coach of the Chinese soccer team, said Monday he is confident in beating Hong Kong on Wednesday to attain another three points to qualify in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Players from the Chinese soccer team engage in training exercises at the Mongkok Stadium, Hong Kong March 29, 2004. [Xinhua]

"I am confident to win three points (on Wednesday). But a game is a game. Every game starts 0-0, but I hope at the end of the game, we win", the Dutch man told reporters after finishing first training session in Hong Kong after Chinese team arrived on Sunday for a World Cup Asian Zone Group D match on Wednesday.

"If I die, I die. Who can guarantee", said Haan when asked whether he could guarantee to bring China into World Cup finals. [Xinhua]

Haan told Chinese reporters that he could not guarantee China a berth in World Cup.

Sun Jihai takes a rest after a training session in the rain in Mongkok Stadium, Hong Kong Monday, March 29, 2004. [newsphoto]

He refused to reveal which position Sun Jihai, a Manchester City defender, would take in Wednesday's match against Hong Kong of China, but made it quite clear that Sun had been physically ready for the match.

Haan's confidence was shared by China's defender Zheng Zhi. " Advantage over Hong Kong of China? We have trained together longer, and we are physically and technically stronger. So I am confident we can win", said Zheng.

In the first round of the World Cup Asian Zone Group D, China beat Kuwait 1-0 at home, while Hong Kong of China defeated Malaysia 3-1 on away.