BEIJING, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Yin Tiesheng was appointed as the caretaker coach of the Chinese men's soccer national team, according to a statement released by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) on Monday. The 52-year-old Yin, a veteran Chinese top-flight soccer club coach, will guide the Chinese national team to play at least two Asian Cup qualifiers.

The coaching position of the Chinese team has been vacant since Vladimir Petrovic of Serbia stepped down in the wake of China's exit from 2010 World Cup Asian Zone qualifying contentions.

"As the domestic league was underway and many local coaches were committed to the clubs at that time, we could not start a formal process to recruit the new head coach of the national team," the CFA statement said.

"Considering the two imminent Asian Cup qualifiers next January, it has been decided to appoint caretaking coaches for the matches."

China will kick off their Asian Cup qualifying campaign on Jan.14 when they will play away game against Syria. Then they will take on Vietnam at home in a week.

The CFA will decide on the official head coach for the team after the two matches, according to the statement.

【体坛英语资讯：Yin named as caretaker coach of Chinese national team】相关文章：

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Christina Aguilera has baby boy

★ 体坛英语资讯：Yi debuts for Bucks in win

★ 体坛英语资讯：Iraq soccer team returns without captain

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Angelina Jolie leaves hospital

★ 娱乐资讯：Harry Potter casts spell on location vacations

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Jet Li, Siqin Gaowa crowned at HK Film Awards

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Hollywood studios to resume contract talks with major actors union

★ 体坛英语资讯：Hosts China struggle into quarter-finals

★ 体坛英语资讯：China chalks up breathtaking victory at world table tennis

★ 体坛英语资讯：Special athletes assured of a happy environment