SECAUCUS, NJ (Monday, August 4, 2003) - The MetroStars announced today that the team will face China in a friendly match at Giants Stadium on Tuesday, September 9, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. ET. The match will be the first international exhibition for the Metros this season and is the first time the Chinese Men’s National Team will appear at Giants Stadium since a 1977 exhibition with the New York Cosmos. China last played in the United States on January 27, 2001, in Oakland, CA in a 2-1 loss to the U.S. Tickets are priced at $30 each. Tickets will also be available through Ticketmaster on Wednesday, August 6 on www.ticketmaster.com and by phone for callers in New Jersey (201-507-8900), New York (212-307-7171), and for Spanish-speaking customers throughout New York and New Jersey (212-307-4757). For group information please call 1-888-4METROTIX.

“We are excited to bring China to the Metropolitan area for the first time,” said MetroStars President and General Manager Nick Sakiewicz. “This is the second international game we are presenting to our fans this season and we are excited to see the MetroStars face a nation, which competed in the 2002 World Cup. China is an emerging nation in soccer and this will be a good showcase for our fans.”

China qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup after dominating its five-team Asian qualifying group with a 6-1-1 record. The team scored 13 goals in those eight games and only allowed two, posting six shutouts. At the World Cup, China was drawn into a difficult group with four-time World Cup champion Brazil, third-place finisher Turkey, and perennial CONCACAF power Costa Rica.

China is preparing to host the 2004 Asian Cup, which will mark the first time the tournament will be held in China. The Asian Cup pits all the nations from the continent in a regional competition and qualifying for the tournament is continuing from September until November of 2003. China receives an automatic berth in the continental competition due to being named the host.

China is led by manager Arie Haan, who was appointed to the post in December of 2002 to replace former MetroStars head coach Bora Milutinovic. The Dutchman earned 35 caps and scored six goals for the Netherlands and was a part of the 1974 and 1978 World Cup teams best known for playing “Total Football.” As a player, Haan competed in seven European competition finals for Ajax of Amsterdam (European Cup), Belgium’s Anderlecht (UEFA Cup), and Standard Liege (Cup Winners’ Cup). Haan has become a well-traveled coach seeing time with Stuttgart and Nuremberg of the German Bundesliga, Feyenoord Rotterdam of Holland, Anderlecht, and PAOK of Greece. He also saw a short stint with Egyptian and African Champions Al Ahly last summer. Since taking over China, Haan has guided them to a 0-0 draw with Brazil and a 1-0 win over Estonia in friendly competition.

The red clad squad also boasts players competing in European competition including 2002 Chinese League MVP Li Tie, who now patrols the midfield for Everton of the English Premier League (EPL). Manchester City defender Sun Jihai became the first Chinese player to score a goal in the EPL last season and saw action in 38 games, since joining the team from Dalian Wanda of the Chinese League.

This will mark the first time the MetroStars face a national team, since May 14, 1997, in a 2-0 loss to Colombia. China last played at Giants Stadium on October 8, 1977, in a 1-1 tie with the Cosmos.

Source: MlsNet.com