China arrange American excursion

China will play three matches in the United States as part of their preparations for July’s AFC Asian Cup finals, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) said on Thursday.

China will train on American soil from 31 May until 11 June, playing the USA and two Major League Soccer clubs, CFA spokesman Dong Hua said.

Local media reported that the MLS clubs would be former England captain David Beckham’s new team Los Angeles Galaxy and Colorado Rapids, but Dong said the opposition had yet to be fixed. Beckham would not be available to play for the Galaxy in any case as he is committed to seeing out his contract at Real Madrid, which ends on 30 June.

China, runners-up to Japan at the last Asian Cup in 2004, will also play Thailand at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium on 16 May before heading to the United States, Dong confirmed. The Chinese team will also play Hong Kong in late June to mark the ten-year anniversary of the handover of power from Britain to China.

Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia will co-host the Asian Cup from 7-29 July. China have been drawn in Group C for the opening round with Iran, Uzbekistan and Malaysia.