China coach gets Asian Cup ultimatum

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2007

BEIJING (AFP) — China's national football coach has been ordered to lead the squad to the final four of next month's Asian Cup and avoid the errors that led to a recent defeat to Thailand, state media said Monday.

Embattled coach Zhu Guanghu, ordered to Beijing for two days of talks with top officials following last week's humiliating 1-0 loss in Bangkok, said he was given an ultimatum.

"I was told, 'get to the last four or else'," Zhu told Monday's Titan Sports weekly.

The 1-0 setback in Bangkok on Wednesday, China's first loss to Thailand in 14 years, led to calls for Zhu's ouster but he said the football association expressed confidence in him.

He said he was told by China's Football Association chief Xie Yalong to do whatever was necessary in...