STORY: Jankovic confident ahead of World Cup qualifiers opener
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 15, 2023
DATELINE: Nov. 16, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:53
LOCATION: Bangkok
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE (English): ALEKSANDAR JANKOVIC, Head coach of China's men's national football team
2. various of China's men's national football team training
3. various of press conference
4. various of Thailand's men's national football team training

STORYLINE:

The head coach of China's men's national football team Aleksandar Jankovic is brimming with confidence for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers Round 2 as his side visits Thailand in the opening round on Thursday.

Having managed three wins, two draws and three defeats since his appointment in February, Jankovic is ready to steer China to begin its 13th quest for the World Cup, and the Serbian is never coy on his ambitions for the quadrennial gala.

Jankovic attended the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

SOUNDBITE (English): ALEKSANDAR JANKOVIC, Head coach of China's men's national football team
"We are all excited to be at the beginning of a big competition after eight-month of playing friendly games. Of course, I think we can confirm that Chinese national team is ready for the beginning of the competition and all the players are extremely motivated and excited to be part of this campaign. We have high and very clear targets as all the other teams, and of course everybody wants to win. Everybody wants to make the step towards the World Cup. It's the biggest possible challenge in football. I'm happy to share this experience and campaign with these players in the Chinese national team. Happy to be here, motivated and excited, and determined also to make good results."

China is drawn into Group C with Thailand, South Korea and Singapore at this stage. Thailand can be seen as a trouble-maker for China recently.

However, Jankovic shrugged off the comments claiming China's football is rapidly declining in the last decade.

"I just repeat that we are all very motivated and excited to be here at the opening of the new chapter, I will never make comments on the comments of the others. We all know, inside we are very motivated, we have qualities and values. We are ready to do everything, start the competition well to be at the level of expectations of the whole country," he noted.

The outsiders noticed that the 51-year-old only called up a few naturalized players in this international break, but he stressed that it makes no difference.

"Naturalized or not naturalized players are all players of China, all these players are motivated and the honor is here."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Bangkok.
(XHTV)