YANBIAN, Jilin Province -- Midfielder Zheng Zhi, who plays for English club Charlton Athletics, on Sunday dismissed rumours that he would miss the Olympics for injury.
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China's national soccer team member Zheng Zhi practices during a training session at the Olympic stadium in Sydney June 19, 2008. [Agencies]
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The attacking midfielder, who played and scored in China's 4-0 win over Malaysia in an Olympic warm-up here, said he will be fit for the Olympics.
"It's just an old injury, and I am 100 percent sure that I'll recover in time for the competition," Zheng has told local media.
"He is China's best player at the moment, the Olympic team needs him," China's Serbian coach Ratomir Dujkovic said.
Zheng also skippered China's senior national team last month when it failed to advance out of the first round of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying, scoring only six points from six games and greatly disappointing Chinese fans.
Dujkovic said on Sunday that besides Zheng, defender Li Weifeng and striker Han Peng would take another two overage place in Chinese Olympic squad.
"I hope these overage players, particularly Zheng, will get themselves properly fit for the tournament as their experience and ability will be crucial for the team," Dujkovic said
At the Beijing Olympics, China is in Group C against Brazil, New Zealand and Belgium. FIFA.com said Dujkovic has set China's goal at the Olympics: to win a medal at home.
