China coach wants more commitment
Crystal Palace skipper Luka Milivojevic became the first player in an English match to be sent off as a result of a referee reviewing an incident on a pitch-side monitor during his side’s 1-0 defeat by Derby County in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.
A superb display by Derby’s skipper Wayne Rooney lit up Selhurst Park but it was Milivojevic’s dismissal, after an off-the-ball clash with Tom Huddlestone that the match will be remembered for.
Milivojevic appeared to kick out at Huddlestone and then pushed his forehead towards Huddlestone. Both players were initially shown yellow cards but referee Michael Oliver, advised by VAR officials at Stockley Park, then went to his pitch-side monitor to look at the incident again.
Having done so he upgraded Milivojevic’s card to a red.
Since the introduction of VAR in the Premier League this season, referees have waited for VAR decisions to be made by officials at Stockley Park – a situation that has been criticised by players, pundits and fans.
Palace manager Roy Hodgson said he felt the decision was harsh and questioned the way the decision had been made.
“I’m not surprised the VAR monitors have been used because that’s what people have been talking about, why we don’t use the monitor more,” he said.
“As far as the incident is concerned, I think it was a harsh decision. I don’t think Tom Huddlestone
has made a meal of it to his credit. Not much I can do about it.
“If it it’s going to be the referee’s decision, what’s the point of the people in Stockley Park.”
Derby’s win was masterminded by former Manchester United and England forward Rooney, playing his first FA Cup tie for two years after returning to join Championship side Derby after a spell with DC United.
Playing in a deep midfield role, the 34-year-old ran the game in only his second appearance for the Rams.
Chris Martin scored the winner, but it was Rooney’s controlled display that caught the eye.
He had 77 touches in the match – more than any Palace player – launching pinpoint passes in all directions.
Rooney, who won the Cup with United, and known for his volatile temperament, was calmness personified, –
– New China coach Li Tie (above) said he only wants players committed to the cause of taking Chinese football forward as he attempts to revive his country’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup.
Former Everton midfielder Li was appointed as successor to Marcello Lippi last Friday, six weeks after the Italian quit the role following a defeat to Syria in qualifying for Qatar 2022.
That defeat left China’s chances of progressing to their first World Cup finals in 20 years in jeopardy.
“In the process of recruiting, the first and most important thing is that we want to find people who want to play soccer for our nation, who have the spirit of selfless dedication, who want to sacrifice everything for the national team,” said Li at his official unveiling on Sunday.
“Second, we want to find players who can shoulder the pressure of the national team.”
China’s chances of reaching the World Cup for the first time since their debut appearance in 2002 are slim, with Li’s team in second place in Group A in the second phase of Asia’s qualifying campaign.
Only the winner of each of the eight groups is guaranteed to advance to the next round, with slots also being allocated to the four best runners-up. Asia has four direct spots in the finals and one inter-confederation playoff slot.
China are eight points adrift of Syria having played one game fewer and next face the Maldives in late March in what will be Li’s first competitive match in charge.
The 42-year-old, however, is no stranger to the national team setup.
Li represented China 92 times as a player, including at the 2002 World Cup finals, and also served as assistant to Lippi both during his time with the national team and at Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande.
“I have learnt a lot from him,” Li said of the 2006 World Cup-winning coach.
“I think one of the important points is his yearning to win, which is beyond that of many other coaches which I have experienced.”
Li is only the second Chinese coach to fill the post on a full-time basis since Spain’s Jose Antonio Camacho was appointed in 2011 but has little bearing on Chinese coaches’ ability. –