CFA announces new Olympic soccer squad  

國奧隊集訓名單公布

Chinese soccer's governing body, the Chinese Football Association (CFA), announced a 30-man squad for the Chinese national Olympic soccer team on Wednesday, with Chinese Super League (CSL) sides Shandong Luneng and Hangzhou Greentown both contributing six players.

Luneng winger Liu Binbin, who played 13 times for the team before the CSL ended its half season of 14 matches, was the marquee player of the six Luneng call-ups. He notched two goals and one assist for Luneng this season.

Shi Ke and Feng Gang were also starters for Greentown in the CSL, teammates Xie Pengfei and Luo Jing offered quality performances from the bench, and Zang Yifeng and Zhao Yuhao are considered hot prospects. Shi was picked for the -senior national team in last year's East Asian Cup.

Shanghai SIPG's Fu Huan is included in the squad. The 21-year-old fullback often -impressed down the right flank and has thrilled the SIPG fans this season.

However, his SIPG teammates, who are mostly of the post-1990s generation, failed to join the squad.

League leaders Guangzhou Evergrande have three -players summoned. Midfielder Liao Lisheng, who can offer -incisive passes, is considered a -playmaker for the future. -Forward Yang Chaosheng, who has played for the -national -under-22 team, and goalkeeper Fang Jingqi also made the cut.

The list also contains four players from China League One, the second tier of Chinese soccer. They are Zhang Yinuo and Yang Ting of Chengdu Tiancheng, Liao Junjian of Guangdong Sunray Cave and Wang Rui of Qingdao Hainiu.

Four players who play in Portugal were also called up: Yeerjieti Yeerzhati of Gondomar, Han Pengfei of Mafra, Guo Yi of Maritimo and Li Yuanyi of Boavista.

The Chinese national Olympic team will hold a training session from June 12 to 25, during which they have a friendly with Uzbekistan.

Also on Wednesday, China's national under-19 soccer team defeated New Zealand 1-0 at the Panda Cup, a tournament which features four invited national teams composed of under-19 players, in -Chengdu, Sichuan Province.

A penalty from captain Liu Haidong in the 24th minute put China ahead and they -managed to hold out until the final whistle.

Friday sees China face -Croatia, who lost 4-1 to Brazil in Wednesday's clash. China will take on Brazil on Sunday in their last match at the tournament.