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Target set for footballers at Asian Cup
(China Daily)
Updated: 2004-05-21 09:36
Reaching the final is the target of the China men's football team at the
Asian Cup, which will be held in July and August in four Chinese cities.
The remark was made by Zhang Jilong, vice-president of the Chinese Football
Association (CFA) and chief secretary of the Chinese Organizing Committee (COC)
for the AFC Asian Cup at the Asian Cup ticket-launching press conference on
Monday.
"We are on home soil, and we should make the final of the tournament," he
said.
"Our people will be assessing their performance, and I don't think they will
accept any excuses if they fail."
Samples of the ticket format were also released at the ceremony.
Beijing, Chongqing, Ji'nan and Chengdu are the four venues for this year's
Asian Cup from July 17 to August 7.
It is the first and also the biggest football event of its kind ever hosted
in China.
"In order to host the event successfully, we have paid close attention to
tickets sales. We (the COC) approve the ticket design and prices while the four
areas' organizing committees are in charge of sales," said Lin Weiguo, COC's
deputy secretary.
To accord with the pocket books of different fans, prices are divided into
four levels ranging from 50 RMB (US$6) to 2000 RMB(US$242).
A number of special tickets will be available for the disabled, who will have
special seats to watch the games.
Prices for some matches are likely to be adjusted.
According to Zhang Heng, secretary-general of the Beijing organizing
committee, the ticket price for the opening ceremony will be raised.
"This event has been linked to the 50th anniversary of the AFC and the
centennial of FIFA. So we have been asked to present related events at the
opening ceremony.
"I am confident the AFC Asian Cup China 2004 will be a fitting celebration to
commemorate the outstanding achievements of Asian football over the past half
century," said Zhang.
Some problems were clarified at the press conference.
Following some clashes between reporters and security guards and unidentified
people in the media zone in Changsha, Hunan Province, when China's Olympic
football team played South Korea on May Day, Zhang Jilong gave his promise to
provide the media with convenient and safe working conditions during the
tournament.
"Changsha's problem is a warning call to all of us. We will make efforts to
better co-ordinate security measures. I give you my word," said Zhang.
Responding to concerns that Chengdu's new stadium will not be ready in time
for the tournament, Cai Shimin, deputy secretary of the Chengdu Organizing
Committee gave his reassurance that the stadium would be ready.
Chengdu will host the majority of matches in Group C, featuring Saudi Arabia,
Iraq, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, plus one of the
quarter-finals.
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