China

World's popular game struggles to gain ground in China

(AP)
Updated: 2007-03-16 10:51

National team captain Zheng Zhi, the country's top player, moved recently to struggling English Premier League team Charlton, but seldom plays. Two others, Sun Jihai and Li Tie, have had journeyman careers in England.

Striker Dong Fangzhuo may break through. Bought by Manchester United, he was sent for experience to Belgian club Royal Antwerp. Dong signed a contract extension recently, raising hopes he might eventually play for United.

Defender Sun Xiang of PSV Eindhoven made history earlier this year: the first Chinese to appear in the European Champions League. In Portugal, 18-year-old striker Yu Dabao has joined Benfica and is called "a gem" by youth coach Antonio Carraca.

In a league where paychecks have bounced, leading players are getting out, even heading to North America. Defender Yao Lijun accepted an offer to try out with the Los Angeles Galaxy, David Beckham's new club, and Xu Qing had one with Toronto FC.

The top domestic league _ the Super League _ is run by the government and plagued by chronic mismanagement, match-fixing scandals and on-field violence. About two years ago, German conglomerate Siemens pulled out as the main sponsor, and average attendance has dwindled to about 10,500 per game.

This season's title sponsor _ a domestic brewer _ was announced just hours before the season opened earlier this month. The deal, reportedly worth $4.7 million (euro3.6 million), is far less than Siemens paid, reported at $10.3 million (euro7.8 million).

Compared to European leagues, the homegrown product looks awful.

"Fans watch all the European leagues on TV, and they expect big progress in Chinese soccer," Li said. "But the national teams, without a strong league and youth programs, can't be very good. We have to build the house from the base up, not from the roof down."

Even talented Chinese players are viewed skeptically in Europe. Some have been signed largely to sell club merchandise in China. The best players are quick and technically sound, but lack physical stature.

"Some of the talent we have is ruined by playing in the league, which is not competitive enough," said William Mao, who works for Rhino Sports, a player management company. "Lots of players have the ability if they had the chance to show it overseas. But it's very difficult to be identified here by European clubs."

When Chinese soccer makes headlines, it's usually bad news.

In early February, Dujkovic's U23 team got into a nasty brawl with a reserve team of English club Queens Park Rangers. Chinese player Zheng Tao was left unconscious and hospitalized with a broken jaw, the low point of a two-week tour of England.

Dujkovic blamed the English, saying his players were goaded and called the fight "a scandal."

A week later the Wulihe stadium, where China qualified in 2001 for its only appearance in the World Cup finals, was razed in 7 seconds to make way for a shopping center.

"We should not demolish everything, good or bad," national team midfielder Zhao Junzhe said. "I think we need to keep some reminders of China's past soccer glory."