National men's soccer coach Zhu Guanghu knows he has to lead his under-fire team to a win over Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake tomorrow if he wants to keep his job.

In the first game of the team's American tour China were hammered 4-1 by the USA national team in San Jose, California, and with this defeat coming on the back of a woeful run, the knifes are out for the struggling coach.

To make matters worse for Zhu, while his team floundered, the Olympic U-23 team under Ratomir Dujkovic continued their excellent run at the Toulon Soccer Tournament in France, beating Ghana 2-1 on Tuesday and advancing to the semifinals as group winners.

"The national team's matches before the Asian?Cup are warm-ups and rehearsals. But it does not mean we can lose matches in that way and accept all defeats," warned Nan Yong, vice president of the China Football Association (CFA), in an interview with Titan Sports.

"If we continue to lose, it is impossible for the players to gain any confidence ahead of the Asian Cup."

Zhu took over the national team in March 2005 after their failure to qualify for last year's World Cup under predecessor Arie Haan. However, a string of disappointing performances has put him under immense pressure.

The team has suffered five losses and two draws in the last ten matches, conceding 18 goals and scoring 10.

Thailand defeat

Zhu's lowest moment came on May 16, when the team was beat by Thailand for the first time in 14 years. To make matters worse the same day the Olympic team beat Uruguay's highly-rated Olympic team.

"It is clear that the national team has not made any improvement and the tactics and style of play are still a mess under Zhu. Meanwhile, the Olympic team has played consistently by using sensible tactics and formations after just a short time with Dujkovic at the helm," Beijing Evening News said.

"Nobody is optimistic about the national team's prospects at the Asian Cup. The matches under two coaches showed different qualities. It is all over for Zhu and his national team. It is up to the China Football Association to make the right decision and replace him as soon as possible," said a commentary in Titan Sports.

Adding to Zhu's misery, he was described by one paper as a "clown" after the 4-1 hammering in San Jose, which came on the same day that the Olympic team defeated European power Holland 2-1.

Serbian coach Dujkovic, who led Ghana to the quarterfinals at the 2006 World Cup, said the team deserved the victory and had "showed their patriotism".

Vice chairman of the CFA Xie Yalong could not hide his delight.

"I know some first choice players were not available, but the way these boys played you'd think they were the first choice," he told Titan Sports.

Ease the pressure?

Zhu attempted to ease the pressure on himself and the players, saying a win is not far away.

"As a coach, I have to take responsibility for the defeats. But I believe we are always improving and it will not take long for us to win a match," he told media after the San Jose defeat.

"For the Asian Cup there are going to be changes, whether they be personnel or tactics," he said, "Certainly there will be no repeat of what happened in Bangkok."

Zhu also said the association has expressed confidence in his leadership.

He said he was told by Xie to do whatever was necessary in terms of reshuffling the side or changing tactics in order to improve the team's chances at July's Asian Cup in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia.

But following the fan fury after the Bangkok debacle, the CFA has reportedly given Zhu an ultimatum for the Asian Cup: Reach the final four or face the sack.

However, Chinese media are speculating that Zhu will be fired no matter what happens in the tournament.

Zhu shrugged off the speculation and said he is focused on the tournament ahead.

"I know I will have no chance if the team doesn't play well during the Asian Cup. So I will not think too much about the past results. My eyes are on the Asian Cup."

(China Daily June 7, 2007)