‘We can beat Brazil in five-a-side football at Rio 2016,’ says China coach
Triple Paralympic champions and home favourites Brazil hold no fear for a confident Chinese side
Four against one: China's players try to crowd out Brazil's Ricardo Alves at the Beijing 2008 Games (Photo: Getty Images/Feng Li)
As the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games get ever closer, the coach of China's fast-improving 5-a-side football team has sent a word of warning to host nation and overwhelming favourites Brazil.
“It is known that Brazil is the best team in the world,” coach Hongmou Zou said. "However, we believe in ourselves and are confident we can defeat them.”
Best of enemies: Argentina out to snatch gold from Brazil
That's fighting talk from the Chinese. The Brazilians have won all three gold medals contested at the Paralympic Games so far. With star players such as Jefinho in their ranks, they would be strong favourites for the Paralympic title even if they were not competing at home
Three gold medals and still hungry… Brazil’s 5-a-side footballers set sights on glory in Rio
However, China have a decent track record in the sport, winning silver at Beijing 2008 and finishing fifth at London 2012 despite losing 1-0 to Brazil in the group stage.
“It was the result of a team’s effort,” team captain Yafeng Wang said of the performance in Beijing. “We took every match very seriously and followed a strict training plan to win that medal. It was still a surprise, but we will never forget it.”
Brazil defeated China 1-0 at London 2012 (Photo: Getty Images/Matthew Lloyd)
Before dreaming of a medal in Rio, China will need to get through a tough qualifying group that includes Argentina, Russia and Mexico.
“Argentina is our toughest opponent in the group stage, whilst Russia and Mexico will also be difficult rivals,” Zou said.
“Russia and Mexico will be making their Paralympic debut but are still going to be as tough opponents as Argentina," Wang added. "There is no weak team at the Paralympics and we will need to fight hard in every match."
“Anything can happen during a football match and we will try to become Paralympic champions.
China are not the only nation who fancy their chances of dethroning Brazil – Turkey also said they are gold medal contenders after the draw in April.
All matches in the Rio 2016 5-a-side football competition will take place in the Olympic Tennis Centre.
