China coach Gao backed by officials despite early exit

A 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan ends team's Asian Cup dream; host advances

DOHA - China's national soccer coach, Gao Hongbo, has the full backing of the Chinese Football Association (CFA) despite his team's elimination from the Asian Cup at the group stage on Sunday night.

Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, the former Saudi Arabia's manager, lost his job after losing to Syria in his side's opening game at the Qatar event, but Gao's job appears safe, even though China was dumped from the region's premier tournament after a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan.