China will play against Japan, the defending champions, in the final of Asian Cup 2004 in Beijing on August 7, which will definitely be a stand-up battle.

China to challenge Japan in Asian Cup final

It was no easy job for either China or Japan to have reached the final. China beat Iran and Japan edged out Bahrain in the semifinals, both of who are worth our congratulations. China has been left outside the final of Asian Cup for years. This time, one match after another, China finally dash into the arena for championship.

Asian Cup, though not comparable to the World Cup, is after all a top meet in Asia. The Chinese men's soccer team breaks into the final on the strength of themselves. These day, Chinese fans have seen with their own eyes better and better playing as the national team advances. Particularly, after the 5-4 win over Iran, enthusiasm upsurges and so does the expectation.

Who does not want to be the champion? The point of sports competition lies in participation, competing, endeavor and progressing. As a 1.3-billion-people country striding to the world, China must be stand out by itself among the nations and as well as make its due contribution to the world's sports. For this, every Chinese wishes that the national team plays its best and winsthe game.

Nevertheless, there must be a winner and a loser in the final. Every side wants to win and is probable to lose. China is endowed with the advantage of playing at home and Chinese fans' devoted cheers. In terms of strength, both sides have their advantages, especially, as a power in Asia, Japan has well-known perseverance. To gain a win, Chinese men's team must compete with Japan in technique, tact and spirit. They must go all out. Meanwhile, team members and fans must balance their enthusiasm and reason. It is acceptable as long as the players exert all they have.

Sports competition also values friendship, civility and politeness. Vying in the field and shaking hands outside, this agrees with the Olympic spirit and also represents the lofty sports morality. Foreign friends have given positive comments on the hotness and order in the Asian Cup held in China. There have been some overacting fans occasionally in major international games, who, however, are not what we want to copy.

Chinese people are traditionally warm-hearted and hospitable. We, of course, will hail all out for the Chinese team, as well as pay respect to our rivals. Any match has judges, to whom we should also pay respect. No dizziness with success, no discouragement with failure. What we want to see is, besides a progressing national team, enhanced exchange in sports and friendship with all the nations worldwide.

Football pitch is not the place for politics

What will tomorrow's Asian Cup final be like? A classic match between archrivals China and Japan. A close competition between two of the continent's top teams. And a splendid football showcase for aficionados of "the beautiful game."

It will be all of these, said a commentary carried on China Daily, August, 6.

In the eyes of some Japanese politicians and media, however, it is also more of a political event than a match. They have collaborated to equate some Chinese fans' booing of the Japanese team in earlier matches to mean all Chinese supporters are hostile towards the visitors.

This is far from the truth.

The Asian Cup is the highest-profile soccer tournament China has hosted in recent years. Chinese fans, as hosts, highly value the opportunity and warmly greeted all teams. Their ardour toward the game has won praise from Asian Football Confederation officials.

International soccer matches often witness undesirable behaviour by a minority of fans, and the vast majority of Chinese do not condone such actions. We want only pure and clean sport.

Some Japanese officials and media have stated that sports should not be linked with politics.

Chinese fans as a whole are not mixing politics with sports despite the small number of fans who failed to behave themselves.

On the contrary, by magnifying the issue, the Japanese side risks "bringing political thinking into sports."

Some Japanese officials on Wednesday even urged their government to make a stronger protest and suggested a boycott of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, according to Reuters.

A Japanese politician, ignorant of our efforts to improve Sino-Japanese relations, even accused China's education system of spreading anti-Japanese sentiment.

Such irresponsible remarks have reportedly stirred up anti-Chinese feelings in Japan.

China has been making efforts to preach a positive approach to bilateral relations.

The government, the Cup organization committee and Chinese fans have strived to host an orderly tournament free of political overtones.

In order not to let the situation exert further negative influence on bilateral ties, both parties should demonstrate reason and restraint.

By People's Daily Online