Despite improved play in recent months by China s beleaguered football team including a draw with Paraguay this week, the national coach has urged fans to lower expectations for next year s Asian Cup.
In friendly tune-ups for the January tournament in Qatar, China lost to Iran 2-0 last week, but tied World Cup quarter-finalists Paraguay 1-1 on Tuesday in front of 30,000 fans in Nanjing.
Borussia Dortmund forward Lucas Barrios drew first blood in the opening minutes to give Paraguay a 1-0 lead, before China s youthful striker Gao Lin headed home the equaliser in the 34th minute.
Paraguay is a world-class team we played well today and we succeeded in containing their attack, coach Gao Hongbo said in post-match comments.
It was not so important to win or …