Agencies/Shenzhen

Rejuvenated China striker Yang Xu believes that the battle for supremacy in Group C of the second preliminary round of joint qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup will ultimately be between the 2004 AFC Asian Cup runners-up and Qatar.
Today, China host a Hong Kong side that has started their joint-qualifying campaign with a 100 per cent record following home wins over Bhutan and the Maldives but while respecting the potential of their southern neighbours, Yang remains convinced that it is the reigning Gulf champions that pose the biggest threat to Alan Perrin’s side.
“To be honest, this group is a battle between China and Qatar,” Yang said in an interview with fifa.com. “We should see Qatar as our chief rival from the start. But we can’t underestimate the rest of our rivals and we should try to gain the maximum points against them.”
China kicked-off their campaign with a clinical 6-0 win away in Bhutan, with three of the goals at the Chanlimithang Stadium in Thimphu coming from the towering forward, who is enjoying something of a renaissance after injury and loss of form saw him drop to the Shandong Luneng reserves before having a loan-spell with Changchun Yatai.
“Looking back, I owe thanks to this special period as I learned useful lessons,” added Yang, who has returned to Shandong with renewed vigour, with the 28-year-old netting an impressive six goals in this year’s AFC Champions League as the 2015 Chinese Super Cup winners bowed out of Asia’s premier club competition at the group stage.
“I am now aware that there is no shortcut to success, only hard work. I knew that the chance would slip away if I didn’t try to grasp it.”
Yang will be looking to continue his upward trajectory and add to his haul of 17 international goals when China entertain Group C leaders Hong Kong at the Shenzhen Baoan Sports Centre Stadium today before the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers take on the Maldives on September 8.
Hong Kong fans warned over China grudge match
Hong Kong fans were yesterday urged to respect “fair play” in their politically charged World Cup qualifier against China, which follows a rise in tensions and coincides with a key war anniversary.
The match is attracting attention among a busy fixture list today, when Japan will look for their first win under coach Vahid Halilhodzic and a mutinous Australia take on Bangladesh.
Hong Kong’s supporters will today make the short trip across the mainland Chinese border to Shenzhen, with officials fearing more booing of the national anthem which they share with China.
Last year’s “Umbrella Movement” mass pro-democracy protests pointed to a souring of attitudes in the semi-autonomous territory towards the central government in Beijing.
Hong Kong fans have been rapped by FIFA for booing the anthem, “March of the Volunteers”, during home games earlier this year.
Their supporters have also hit out at their allocation of just 2,200 tickets out of 27,000 sold for today’s game, Hong Kong media reported.
The Hong Kong Football Association has called “for local fans to respect fair play in all World Cup qualifying matches”, an official said. He added: “Respect for the principles of fair play should apply to every match.”
National feeling will run high on both sides as the game coincides with the 70th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II.
“Match day happens to be the 70th anniversary of the victory over Japan in the second world war,” said HKFA chairman Brian Leung.
“There will also be an army parade in Beijing and other commemorative celebrations all over the country. The Chinese government won’t allow any trouble.”

‘NOT SATISFIED ... NOT SAD’
Elsewhere Japan will expect to end their poor start under Halilhodzic when they take on Cambodia, ranked 180th in the world, in Saitama.
Halilhodzic has left little to chance by recalling European-based stars Keisuke Honda, Shinji Okazaki and Shinji Kagawa for today’s game and for next Tuesday’s clash against Afghanistan in Tehran. “It is the first time in my life I have gone four matches without a win. I love winning and I am not satisfied that we have not won but I am not sad either,” said the Bosnian coach.
Group D shock leaders Guam, who opened Asia’s second round of qualifying by stunning India and Turkmenistan, face a sterner test when they take on mighty Iran in Tehran.
The Pacific islanders lost 19-0 when they last met Iran in a competitive game 15 years ago, but coach Gary White is eager to see how his side matches up against the four-time World Cup finalists. “We know the size of the challenge we are faced with, up against a team that has won several Asian Cups and which has been a regular qualifier for World Cups,” he said.  
“That’s the position that we want to put ourselves in, that’s where we want to be, and with the full support of everyone at the Guam FA we are working towards that common goal.”