THE head coach of Chinese soccer team Gao Hongbo will likely lead the team in Asia’s final qualifying round of 2018 World Cup after China secured a thrilling win over Qatar on Tuesday, China Daily reported Wednesday, citing news portal Sohu.com.

    A poll by Sina.com also said Thursday that 86 percent of Chinese soccer fans surveyed want Gao to remain as head coach.

    China advanced to the final Asian qualifying round for the World Cup for the first time since 2002 after a 2-0 victory over Qatar on Tuesday.

    Second-half goals from Huang Bowen and Wu Lei were enough to defeat the group leader and send China through to the last 12 as one of the best four runners-up from the eight groups, as the second round of Asian qualification concluded.

    China has only qualified for the World Cup once, in 2002.

    Asked whether the team will have foreign coach in the future, Gao said: “Soccer is a team sports. The quality of a team cannot be changed by one or two coaches.”

    “It is not fair to say a coach is good or bad. It is all about whether the coach’s philosophy is suitable for the players.”

    Gao added that the team will be reinforced with foreign staff, and who will lead the team in the final qualifying stage remains to be seen until late April.

    Gao, 50, previously managed China national soccer team from 2009 to 2011. Appointed in May 2009, he became the youngest man to take the helm in 30 years, but was sacked in August 2011 and replaced by Jose Antonio Camacho.

    Gao was a big name in his professional life as a soccer player. He was a prolific striker, who was famous for his agility in the box and fine ability in finishing. In 1998, he started his coaching career with several Chinese clubs. He was also an assistant of Dutchman Arie Haan in the China national team between 2002 and 2004. Gao made a big achievement as a coach in 2007, as he led Changchun Yatai to take the title of the Chinese Super League. (SD News)