China defender Li Weifeng admitted on Tuesday in Guangzhou that the whole team are under extremely intense stress as their crucial World Cup qualifier against Hong Kong of China approaches.

China, who went down 1-0 to Kuwait last month, now trails the Gulf team on goal difference in Group Four of the Asian zone World Cup qualifying tournament and needs a big win over Hong Kong Wednesday to make it to the second phrase of the regional qualifying.

"We are all going through huge stress. Kuwait holds a two-goal difference advantage, after all," said Li.

The Asian Football Federation has scheduled the China vs Hong Kong match to be played simultaneously with Kuwait's home match against Malaysia amid media rumors that the Hong Kong team would throw the game.

Li Weifeng at the news conference after the training

Li, who had a short spell with England's Everton in 2002, believed that keeping a balanced mood is vital to his team's performance.

"We must keep our composure on the pitch. The first half hour is very important to us. We need to get in form from the very beginning, for we have to score a lot of goals," he said.

The 26-year-old fullback, however, sounded upbeat about their scoring ability.

"The Shenzhen club team could beat Hong Kong by three goals, not to mention the Chinese national team," said Li, the undisputed No. 1 star in the Shenzhen team.

But teammate and TSV 1860 Munich midfielder Shao Jiayi warned against underestimating their rivals.

"We must not look down upon the Hong Kong side. As the away game showed, they are a tough team. We must try our best in Wednesday's match," said Shao.

China managed to beat Hong Kong 1-0 in March in their first meeting at the Asian qualifying tournament.