Chinese national soccer team has started a 15-day training session in southmost Hainan Province, preparing for their Asian Cup qualifying matches against Syria and Vietnam in January.

Led by head coach Gao Hongbo, the 29-player squad arrived at the national training base in Haikou, the capital city of Hainan last Saturday.

Captain Du Wei told reporters that the training schedule was so tight that he felt exhausted after three days.

"It is really a tough training session," said head coach Gao Hongbo. "But a good player must endure it."

China, who have a 3-1 win-loss record so far in the Asian Cup qualifying round, will host Syria on Jan. 6 and play away to Vietnam on Jan. 17.

"We have to win at least one more match to qualify for the Asian Cup," said Gao.

The Chinese team are scheduled to fly to Shanghai on Dec. 21 for the Syria clash.

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