Asian Games bound Indian Olympic Team is set to play two tough outings in China in coming days. Wim and team will be determined to dish out a better performance after recent disappointments against Pakistan in friendlies where the team tied the series 1-1, winning 1-0 in first and then losing 0-2.
They next face Shangai Dongya FC and Jiangsu Sainty FC. So lets look at both the opponents close-up.
Shangai Dongya FC
Founded in 2005 the team has only recently qualified for the top tier Chinese Super League in 2013 season where they finished in 13th position. The club is known as Manchester United of China due chairmen's policy investing money in youth development.
Currently after 22 matches in the 2014 season team stands in 4th position with Swedish International Tobias Hysen and local boy Wu Lei scoring 25 goals between them.
The team currently has 5 foreign players and few Chinese internationals in its rooster. Swedish International Tobias Hysen, Imad Khalili and Chinese International Wu Lei are their key players.
Jiangsu Sainty FC
Founded in 1958 Jiangsu is one of the most established sides in the super league, although being the founding memeber of the first Chinese professional league in 1998 they have never won the title till date, their best ever performance came in 2011 season when they finished 4th.
Currently in 2014 season after 22 matches they lie in 7th position with 31 points to their kitty.
Lebanese International Roda Antar who has experience of playing in German Budesliga is the key player in Jiangsu side apart from him the Chinese side has as many as seven Chinese national team players most notably Liu Janye and Sun Ke.
What to expect from the matches
Unlike Indian I-league the Chinese Super League begins in March and ends in November which means that both the teams are in middle of the season so the friendly matches against India olympic team should be secondary to them. Both the teams are likely to field reserve players against India.
Chinese teams are known to be very physically built and play a more direct style of game which will be a difficult test for Wim Kovermans & team, but definately is a good exposure before the Asiad Games next month where they will face-off UAE and Jordan.
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