A majority of more than 21,000 fans showed their discontent in a public poll on Sina.com about Petrovic's dissection of the team.

Seventy-four percent of respondents said there is no sign of improvement from the newly built squad, while 90 percent are unsatisfied with China's latest two matches, which also included a lackluster 0-0 draw to the United Arab Emirates. Only 4 percent of respondents believe China will be able to make it to the next round.

Dreams slipping away

Four months ago, people were hopeful Petrovic, the former coach of Super League champion Dalian, could lead China out of the wilderness. But with inconsistent tactics on the pitch and a rotating starting lineup, surviving the group of death appears less and less likely, let alone the World Cup finals in South Africa.

Adding to the team's woe is the fact that pivotal players based overseas like Charlton Athletic striker Zheng Zhi and Bundesliga club Cottbus midfielder Shao Jiayi will not join the team until just before the first fixture.

"New faces come and go. The best players from Europe have no time to get to know the team. We get rid of good defenders even though the team always struggles with defense. We do not see any hope for this team's World Cup qualifier prospective," said a commentary in Titan Sports.

The latest housecleaning included regular international defenders Du Wei and Zhang Yaokun.

Lu Bofei, Li Jianhua, Sun Ji, Wang Wanpeng and Yang Lin were also cut after "serious consideration by the coaching staff", according to a statement posted on the website of the Chinese Football Association (www.fa.org.cn).

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