HONG KONG (REUTERS) - Former Arsenal and Brentford midfielder Nico Yennaris has become the first overseas-born player to be called up for the China national team after he was included in Marcello Lippi's squad for upcoming friendlies against the Philippines and Tajikistan.
Yennaris, known as Li Ke in China, was born and grew up in England and is eligible to play for China through his mother, who was born in the country.
The 26-year-old signed for Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan in January and has been granted Chinese citizenship, making him eligible for selection by Lippi as the Italian seeks to boost the fortunes of the country's struggling men's national team.
Yennaris' inclusion marks a significant shift in policy by the Chinese Football Association, which had previously resisted calls to include naturalised players in the national set-up despite it being common practice in many other countries.
However, Yennaris is one of a number of overseas-born players of Chinese descent to have joined a Chinese Super League club since the turn of the year, in a sign that the mood had changed.
The issue was also believed to be a factor in Lippi's decision to return to the helm of the team earlier this month, with the World Cup winner standing down when his contract ended following China's quarter-final Asian Cup exit in January.
Lippi's squad at the continental championship had the oldest average age of the 24 nations competing and is in desperate need of rejuvenation ahead of the country's attempt to secure a spot at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
Â
China will start their campaign to qualify for the Finals for the first time since 2002 in September, with the games against the Philippines and Tajikistan in Guangzhou on June 7 and 11 respectively the only warm-ups planned ahead of their first qualifiers.
Football: Valencia chairman Murthy says King's Cup victory 'icing on the cake' to a fine season
Football: Valencia chairman Murthy says King's Cup victory
virginiabus.info/sports/football-valencia-chairman-murthy-says-kings-cup-victory-icing-on-the-cake-to-a-fine-season/
For Valencia chairman Anil Murthy, it was the "icing on the cake" in a remarkable season that also saw them finish fourth in LaLiga to remain in the Champions League, and make the final four of the Europa League, where they were knocked out by Arsenal. They also remained unbeaten against Barcelona.
Newspapers | Media | Virginia Bus
virginiabus.info/news/magnitude-8-0-hits-northern-peru-usgs/
LIMA (AFP, REUTERS) - An earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0 stuck northern Peru, the United States Geological Survey reported on Sunday (May 26). The epicentre of the quake was 75km south-south-east of Lagunas at a depth of about 110km, it added.
Barcelona News, Scores, Schedule, Stats, Teamsheet - soccer
Bournemouth introduced top scorer Callum Wilson from the bench but his best chance was deflected for a corner and the victory, which leaves Wolves seventh in the table, was sealed by Cavaleiro with a cool finish in injury time. The game was the first ever top-flight clash between the clubs.
Manager Maurizio Sarri says Chelsea's slow starts to the second half are becoming a "big problem", after they beat Slavia Prague to reach the Europa League semi-finals.
Geylang International hope to crash Albirex Niigata's title-winning party on Friday to be sure of finishing fourth in the S.League above Warriors FC.
Home United must be tactically wise against Albirex Niigata
'We need to play there thinking to win': Unai Emery insists Arsenal will attack Valencia in Europa League semi-final. Arsenal take a 3-1 lead into Europa League semi-final second leg at Valencia
Unai Emery Admits He Doesn't Know if Aaron Ramsey Will Play
Manchester City will face Brighton in the FA Cup semi-finals as they continue their pursuit of a historic quadruple this season. In the other tie, Watford will play Wolves with both semis set to
Man City to face Brighton in FA Cup semi-finals as Watford
He envisions a pacy and attacking brand of football for the Lions, and new national coach Tatsuma Yoshida was quick to emphasise this philosophy to his players during his first training session
Solomon Islands News, Scores, Schedule, Stats, Roster
Earlier in May, I took a different approach to ranking college football's coaches by assigning them to tiers based on common traits. With spring practices in the rear view mirror, I took a similar
2018 Masters: Predictions and power rankings for the field at
A FIFA feasibility study has concluded the 2022 World Cup can expand to 48 teams by using at least one of Qatar's neighbors as an additional host. FIFA study backs 48-team World Cup in 2022.
APNewsBreak: FIFA study backs 48-team World Cup in 2022
Football: Wasteful Barca held to goalless draw at defiant Lyon Lyon's Anthony Lopes makes a save from Barcelona's Lionel Messi. Emmanuel Foudrot, Reuters LYON, France - Barcelona were held to a frustrating 0-0
Wasteful Barca held to goalless draw at defiant Lyon - Reuters
Jordan Henderson is adamant Liverpool head into Tuesday's Capital One Cup semi-final, first-leg showdown with Chelsea brimming with the confidence and belief they can take a step closer to Wembley. The Reds welcome the Londoners to Anfield on the back of an eight-match unbeaten run in all
When the action was finally over, Jurgen Klopp ran across the pitch to pump his fi…
Jurgen Klopp news: 'I have a long-term contract at Liverpool
I use a competitors service because of the poor signal strength where I live and the fact they treat my mom, a loyal ATT customer!, like crap! The phone will not ring and she will miss important calls which she won't be notified of unless someone leaves a voicemail and many times she can not call OUT because the signal strength is not there. A
iPhone Tips & Tricks: Tips to boost iPhone Signal Strength
feb 27, 2019 football news Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk both scored twice as Liverpool returned to winning ways with a dominant performance against Watford to stay top of the Premier League. Jurgen Klopp's side were 2-0 up in 20 minutes at Anfield as Senegal forward Mane headed the first before doubling the lead with an outrageous backheel
Stylish Liverpool thrash Watford 5-0 to stay top of league
Cristiano Ronaldo will spearhead Juventus' old guard as they look to finish the job on Tuesday against Ajax's impressive young guns in a quarter-final clash between two sides desperate to end
Football: Juventus' old guard bidding to finish job against
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen