BEIJING, June 28 (Xinhua) -- China's men's national football team head coach, Li Tie revealed he has lost nearly six kilograms on the back of a recent rigorous training camp.

Li, who took over the Chinese side in January after Marcello Lippi's abrupt departure, said he put on weight during this year's Spring Festival holidays which were prolonged by the COVID-19 outbreak.

"That was the longest Spring Festival holidays I ever had, and I gained several kilograms," he said.

He said he regained his usual good shape after working hard with his players in a training camp in May.

"I lost almost six kilograms over two weeks," he said.

The former Everton midfielder summoned his side, three naturalized players included, for the training camp in Shanghai to prepare for the World Cup qualifiers.

"My next aim is to guide my team through the first phase of the Asian World Cup qualifiers to reach the final 12," he said.

China will play its remaining four matches of the first phase in October and November.

China currently sits second of five teams in AFC qualifying Group A with seven points from four games, eight points behind group leaders Syria. Enditem

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