School reunion

Li Tie brings Brazilian training to Chinese team

BEIJING (AP) -- Midfielder Li Tie could run into former classmates when he hits the field for China against Brazil this summer in the World Cup.

As a teenager, Li attended soccer school in Brazil several times between 1993-1998, learning the skills that propelled him into Chinese professional soccer and onto the national team.

His familiarity with Brazilian training and play could be an asset for China as it goes up against the world power in the first round of the cup.

China is making its World Cup finals debut in South Korea and Japan, though its inexperience ranks it low among countries expected to advance to later rounds. First-round opponents also include Costa Rica and Turkey.

Li, 24, was a major force in China's 2000-2001 qualifying campaign, earning a reputation for lightning runs, tenacious defense and fast footwork.

At the same time, his performance in China's domestic professional league netted him honors as player of the year in 2001. The same year, he played in every professional game for his home province of Liaoning.

This year has been tougher.

Li was slapped with a five-match ban after a run-in with notorious Serbian striker Zoran Rankovic during a professional game.

That hasn't prevented him from attracting foreign attention.

Li flew to England in March to practice with Southampton, which reportedly expressed interest in signing him.

Li has told reporters he won't make any decisions about whether to play abroad until after the World Cup.

The second son of an aviation administration official, Li started playing soccer during a rough-and-tumble childhood in the northern industrial city of Shenyang.

"I was always getting into fights, and I always won. Then someone suggested to my mother that if I had a coach to watch me, I might get into fewer fights," he said in an interview with Web site Sina.com.

Li has left the tough guy reputation behind.

These days, he's known as a quiet, sensitive type, making him popular among the female fans.

 

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