Japan would not win the game even if they had brought the other five players, said Ratomir Dujkovic, head coach of the Chinese Olympic team after drawing Japan 0-0 on Friday at the Shenyang four-nation invitational tournament.

Japanese coach Yasuharu Sorimachiy hinted they could have a better chance to win the match if they brought their best squad to China.

"My team played very well, and they have tried their best. We did not use the best players. We are targeting at the 2008 Olympic games and preparing on that, " said Sorimachiy.

But Dujkovic denied it, saying "it is nice to have an excuse when they did not win the game".

Ratomir Dujkovic

He said the two teams are at the same level, although the Japanese team seemed to be better organized.

"Some of my best players are not in good form today," said he.

(Xinhua News Agency August 4, 2007)