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New Year, bigger challenge for Gao Hongbo

By Tang Zhe (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-02-15 07:52

Tough road ahead

Last February, China defeated archrival South Korea for the first time in 32 years en route to the East Asian Championship title.

This year has, so far, turned out to be a different story. While China's East Asian counterpart Japan celebrated its fourth Asian Cup victory by defeating the Socceroos 1-0 in the final, China had to watch the final matches at home. South Korea, who took the third place at the expense of Uzbekistan, also shone in the region's most prestigious tournament with a vigorous, young generation of players.

Gao was expected to lose his job due to some poor strategy during the tournament and the team's inability to get past the group stage.

However, CFA chief Wei Di said the governing body would stick with Gao, who has overseen the country's rise up the FIFA World Rankings from 100 to 75. Still, the CFA is seeking a foreign technical adviser to assist Gao during the World Cup qualifiers.

The CFA's search has dimmed the prospects of Dutchman Arie Schans, who has spent several months on the coaching team as Gao's personal assistant.

The proposed move has also cast doubts about Gao's status with the team.

However, CFA Deputy Chief Yu Hongchen insists the adviser will be selected to boost the team's performance in World Cup qualifiers, which start in June, and the head coach will have the final word.

"The adviser's duty is to help Gao perfect his work and not replace him," Yu told China's Soccer News. "We will communicate with the coach and find the most suitable candidate according to our current situation."