China prepare to unleash Dong Fangzhuo
(footballasia)
Updated: 2004-10-08 23:35

Having resisted the temptation to utilise Dong Fangzhuo in his side's last two matches, China Under-20s coach Yin Tiesheng is preparing to unleash the highly-rated striker on Korea Republic in Saturday's AFC Youth Championship final at the Cheras Stadium.

Dong, who was signed by English Premier League giants Manchester United in a much-publicised transfer earlier this year, made a dramatic impact when he scored the winning goal in China’s 1-0 win over Qatar in their final group stage game, just a minute after coming on as a substitute.

Despite those heroics, coach Yin has used the 19-year-old sparingly at this tournament as he has opted to rotate his three recognized strikers. He fielded Zou You in the 3-0 quarter-final win over hosts Malaysia and started with Zhu Ting in the 1-0 semi-final triumph against Syria with Dong remaining on the bench for the duration of both games.

However, Yin intends to give the well-rested Dong his opportunity in the final.

“We have rested him for our last two games but Dong will play in the final,” said Yin on Friday. “I’m not saying whether he is starting yet though. That is our secret.”

Whether Dong starts or not, the Chinese side will be full of confidence going into the match against the Koreans. Yin’s charges have recorded four consecutive wins in the AFC Youth Championship since being held to a goalless draw by Iran in their opening match.

China have also managed three victories against the Koreans this year - a 3-1 win at the 2008 Stars Cup in Wuhan and a pair of 1-0 victories in friendlies played at the Korean National Football Centre near Seoul in August.

“We have done well against Korea this year but I don’t think that we should be regarded as the favourites in the final because of those results,” said Yin.

“Of course, those wins will give us a psychological advantage when we play them in the final. However, it is a different game from our last three meetings and we must be prepared to fight for the title.”

While Yin is concerned by the Korean strike-force of Park Chu-young and Kim Seoun-yong, he believes that his side can match their opponents and win just their second AFC Youth Championship title, following their only previous triumph in 1984.

“The Koreans are a very strong and well organised side but we have prepared very well for this tournament and have formed a very good understanding on the field.

“Our defence will be a key factor because Korea have good strikers but we will utilize our speed and fitness to achieve our ultimate aim of winning this tournament.”

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