KUALA LUMPUR: China's coach yesterday insisted his team was in good shape for the make-or-break Group C clash with Uzbekistan despite a rash of injuries and the loss of suspended captain Zheng Zhi. Zhu Guanghu, whose central defender Li Weifeng has also picked up two yellow cards, said China had plenty of replacements for the influential pair.

Goalkeeper Li Leilei, Zheng Bin, Zhou Haibin will all take late fitness tests.

Defeat to Uzbekistan, nearly 30 places higher in the world rankings, will dump China out of the Asian Cup and probably mean the sack for the embattled Zhu.

"We've got 23 excellent players and those who haven't played yet are in a better condition," said the coach.

"So I'll change the line-up on Wednesday and I think it will be a good match."

Zhu dismissed suggestions that China would fail to reach the knock-out stage for the first time since 1980, and said he was still aiming at the last four.

"Our goal is to get to the semifinals and our team is getting better each game, so we're sure we can achieve this goal," he said.

However, Bundesliga midfielder Shao Jiayi admitted the loss of Li and Zheng, who impressed at Charlton Athletic this season and is seeking a return to the Premier League, was significant.

"The absence of Zheng Zhi and Li Weifeng will definitely affect our team," said the Energie Cottbus man.

"They've been very important for us in the last two matches, especially Zheng Zhi. But we've been improving match by match and I'm sure we'll get a good result on Wednesday."

【体坛资讯：Zhu unfazed by ZZ suspension】相关文章：

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Charlotte Church names her baby girl

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Accused Uma Thurman stalker indicted

★ 体坛英语资讯：Yi starts new life in Milwaukee

★ 体坛资讯：China storm into semis, S. Korea pose strong in Sudirman Cup

★ 体坛资讯：Yi among few global prospects to stay in NBA Draft pool

★ 体坛英语资讯：Chinas Zheng to miss World Cup qualifier

★ 体坛资讯：Chinese road riders taste acceleration through studying abroad

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Matt LeBlanc sued by ex-manager

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Zhang Ziyi hosts in English for wildlife protection

★ 体坛资讯：Long jumper Sdiri hit by javelin in Rome