China Cup will help measure progress

Cai Zhenhua (right), President of China Football Association (CFA), and Wang Jianlin attend the press conference of the 2017 China Cup International Football Championship in Beijing, December 7, 2016. [Photo/IC]

Two-time reigning Copa America champion Chile, ranked No 4, will then face star-studded Croatia, ranked 14th.

The winners will square off for the championship on Jan 15.

CFA vice-president Zhang Jian said the competition will provide an opportunity for national team coach Marcello Lippi to sharpen China for the remaining World Cup qualifiers, which resume in March.

Organizers plan to cast a wide net for Chinese players in the China Cup, and Lippi's assistant Li Tie said: "Many thanks to the organizers for providing us the chance to play and learn from world-class opponents.

"Our coaching staff is trying to work out a list of players who can represent the national team for the championship."

chenxiangfeng@chinadaily.com.cn