BEIJING - Once again, China's national soccer team faces a life-or-death situation far earlier than expected.

Still only in the first round of 2016 World Cup Asian Zone qualifying and with three matches to go, China is standing on the edge of a cliff.

The team's fate could be determined tonight when it faces Iraq at the neutral venue of Doha.

If China wins, its World Cup dream will stay alive.

If China loses, its final two matches against Singapore and Jordan will be rendered meaningless.

Under pressure, head coach Jose Antonio Camacho says his squad is now in full gear and determined to fight until the last second.

Offense has become the key factor in the team's preparations, and the Spaniard called up striker Han Peng for the first time and experimented with a rare 3-4-3 formation during training sessions.

He also pointed out the significance of teamwork as well as a never-say-die attitude.

"I asked my players to play a game during training in Kunming. I had their eyes covered and wanted them to walk towards the goal line blind. No one could do it," said the former Real Madrid and Spanish national team coach, who was installed at the helm of the China team in August.

"I told them if someone is on your back and gives you a hand, you can reach the goal line easily. That's how important teamwork is. You must have trust in your teammate during the match and then you can achieve victory through unity."

Camacho, whose aura as a world-class coach has dimmed in China after a series of unimpressive outings, admitted a gap between his expectations and reality after a 1-0 loss to Iraq at home, and said he has realized the importance of psychologically preparing his players before matches.

"Don't forget you are here to represent your country and your family. You must have a strong belief that victory will come to us," he said to his players after a training session in Doha, according to a report from Titan Sports.

Of some minor solace to the Chinese delegation is the fact it is staying in the hotel where, 10 years ago, it managed a decisive draw against Qatar on the way to its first and only World Cup appearance in South Korea and Japan in 2002.

China's centerback and captain, Li Weifeng, still a key member of the defense on Camacho's team, equalized in the last second of that match and he and his teammates have their fingers crossed that luck will remain on their side.

"Now we have only one choice - live or die. Everyone should release the burden and take responsibility," Li said.

"This hotel hasn't changed at all in 10 years. Good luck will always be there as long as we are confident and patient. Nothing is impossible," he said.

But the team's tough predicament sees 92 percent of 68,742 people polled by Sina.com pessimistic about the China team's chances.

However, Li has urged fans to be patient.

"I've said it before - it's not the head coach that goes out and kicks the ball. It's the job of each and every player. It's our job. So we need the media and the fans to give our new head coach enough time and to be patient with him.

"He has to be given enough time to rebuild the team."

China Daily

(China Daily 11/11/2011 page24)