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Dujkovic has golden dream for 2008 Games(Reuters)Updated: 2007-02-02 09:03 LONDON, Feb 2 - Coach Ratomir Dujkovic believes he can make another piece of soccer history by steering China to Olympic soccer gold when they host the 2008 Games in Beijing.
The Serbian, whose men are on a two-week training stint with Premier League champions Chelsea, now wants to exceed the target of a semi-final slot with a squad he sees as short on experience but long on potential. Looking ahead to the Games, Dujkovic told reporters: "The target is high and it will be difficult to reach. But we are hosts and we believe we can do it. We have a very competitive team and in time we can shape it. "For the Chinese (football) association, the aim is to be in the top four. For me, it's the gold medal. That's what I'm looking for. "It's maybe my dream -- but my dream with Ghana was to get to the World Cup. So I still believe -- I'm an optimist -- that I can do it." Dujkovic, who also took tiny, once strife-torn Rwanda to their first appearance at the African Nations Cup finals in 2004, is well aware of China's Olympic expectations next year. "There's always pressure," he said. "It's part of the job, you accept it." As for the source of his optimism, he added: "Because so far, everywhere I've worked, I've done well." He also has a lot of faith in an under 23 squad which is showing dedication to the national cause. NO COMPLAINTS "There are many talents," said Dujkovic, who was assistant coach of the Red Star Belgrade side that won the European Cup in 1991. "They're very good, strong and they're fast. The contribution from everyone, every day, is 100 percent. "You can never complain, the commitment is excellent. So I believe in this group of players." Their spell at Chelsea's Cobham training centre, which is part of the English club's development plans in China, will be supplemented on Monday by a friendly against a Chelsea XI at Brentford's ground in west London. Asked what people could expect from his side, he said: "In the match, you will see a young, very strong Chinese Olympic team with a very good attitude. "They never give up. Of course, they do not have international experience, but today they can face any team -- including Brazil, Argentina or Serbia. |
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Dujkovic became China's Olympic coach last October, having guided Ghana into their first World Cup tournament, where they reached the second round in Germany before bowing out to Brazil.