BACOLOD, Philippines, Oct. 14 -- China's national football team wrapped up its pre-game press conference in under two minutes here on Monday evening ahead of their 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifier against the Philippines.
The press conference had originally been canceled due to heavy traffic in Bacolod City, according to a statement issued by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) through its official Weibo account.
"The press conference was initially scheduled at 6:15pm, but the team arrived in the stadium at around 6:30pm with around half-an-hour delay," read the statement.
"In order to give our nationals more time for training in the field and to take a good rest after the training session, the CFA decide to finish the press conference earlier after a negotiation with the organizers," it added.
Head coach Marcello Lippi, along with captain Hao Junmin and Lippi's translator, stepped into the press conference room in the Panaad Stadium for a few photographs and then left.
Team Dragon arrived in Bacolod last Sunday evening, less than 48 hours before their clash against the Philippines on Tuesday.
By contrast, the host team arrived in Bacolod City a few days ago, and have been taking twice-daily training sessions ahead of their match against the highest-ranked team in qualifying Group A.
Philippines captain Stephan Schrock stressed that anything can happen in football, including a surprise win over China.
"You can be sure that we will be well prepared," Schrock said during the Philippines' press conference.
"We're expecting a good and organized unit from China, and we will ask questions of them tomorrow night," he added.
Currently, the hosts have three points with one win and one defeat, while China top the group after two one-sided wins over the Maldives and Guam.
A total of 40 teams will play across eight groups in the second round of the Asian qualifiers. Eight group winners and the four best runners-up will qualify for the next round.
The match will kick off at 8pm at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod.
国内英语资讯:Obama administration urges China to push further economic reforms
国际英语资讯:New UN chief demands strategy changes to prevent war
2016高考英语二轮书面表达(四月)训练集(16)及参考范文
2016高考英语二轮书面表达(四月)训练集(18)及参考范文
国际英语资讯:Exercise on weekends may also significantly reduce death risk: study
娱乐英语资讯:Pianist Lang Lang plays for rural left-behind children
国际英语资讯:Kerry warns against scraping Iran nuclear deal
国际英语资讯:Kenya announces new round of voter registration ahead of August polls
2016届高考英语二轮专题演练精品 单项填空15 Word版含答案
2016高考英语二轮书面表达(四月)训练集(19)及参考范文
国内英语资讯:Fire kills 1,582 in China in 2016
国内英语资讯:China top banking watchdog stresses risk control
2016届牛津英语第二轮复习 限时训练 第8讲 助动词和特殊句式(一)
2016届高考英语二轮专题总复习精选综合能力专练:完形填空1
《星球大战》粉丝要求把莱娅公主正式列入迪士尼公主[1]
国内英语资讯:Interview: Pioneering spirit shapes China-Switzerland ties -- Swiss ambassador
2016届牛津英语第二轮复习 限时训练 英语参考答案
国际英语资讯:Rate of elevated blood pressure increases globally: study
2016高考英语二轮书面表达(四月)训练集(10)及参考范文
2016高考英语二轮书面表达(四月)训练集(17)及参考范文
2016届高考英语二轮专题总复习精选综合能力专练:单项填空1
2016届高考英语二轮专题演练精品 单项填空23 Word版含答案
2016届高考英语二轮专题总复习精选综合能力专练:单项填空10
2016届高考英语二轮专题演练精品 单项填空16 Word版含答案
国内英语资讯:Chinas CGN says Britain to begin assessment of its nuclear technology
2016届高考英语二轮专题总复习精选综合能力专练:单项填空7
2016届高考英语二轮专题演练精品 单项填空14 Word版含答案
2016届高考英语二轮专题演练精品 单项填空20 Word版含答案
2016届高考英语二轮专题演练精品 单项填空19 Word版含答案
奥巴马告别演讲全文