Dujkovic coaches China 2008 Olympic soccer team

Serbian Ratomir Dujkovic ended China's marathon-like search for a coach for their national soccer team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics after signing a contract with the Chinese Football Association (CFA) in Beijing on Saturday.

"After careful comparison and evaluation, we finally sealed Dujkovic as the head coach out of more than 30 candidates," said CFA vice president Nan Yong at a press conference here on Saturday.

"His contract will last till the end of the Beijing Games and I believe he can achieve our aim."

The 60-year-old Serbian, who led Ghana to last 16 of the World Cup in Germany, faces a tough task to lead the young Chinese team to reach the semi-finals at the Beijing Olympics.

"It's a great challenge for me and for China. To be top four teams in the Olympic Games is very difficult," said Dujkovic.

"But I believe the young team will work hard and we can make success together."

Dujkovic has also coached Venezuela, Burma and Rwanda national teams. He has proved his ability when he took Rwanda to their first-ever African Nations Cup finals in 2004. And the success with the "Black Stars" this summer earned him more reputation.

The CFA has spent more than half a year choosing a head coach for the U23 Olympic team. Some big names have been linked with the selection including Frenchmen Jacques Santini and Philippe Troussier, England's Howard Wilkinson, German Berti Vogts and Swedish Sven Goran Eriksson.

Source: Xinhua