Elkeson has first pratice with Team China

For 30-year-old Brazil-born striker Elkeson, the first Monday of September was his first day in the Chinese national soccer team.

"It is a very special day today, I woke up at 4:30 in the morning because I am feeling anxious," Elkeson said, surrounded by a group of reporters from across the country, most of which cover the national team for years.

The reporters knew it was a special day for Chinese soccer too. Many fans, especially players, had expected Elkeson's arrival could boost China's attacking line.

"My teammates were very happy to meet me in the national team, there is a very friendly atmosphere there," Elkeson said.

Brazil-born Chinese football player Elkeson de Oliveira Cardoso, known as Elkeson, receives training for the Chinese National Football Team in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong province, 2 September 2019. [Photo: IC]

Two weeks ago, Elkeson was named in Marcello Lippi's squad, becoming the first footballer in the national team without Chinese ancestry.

Lippi called up the players to reunion in Guangzhou on Monday to prepare for the upcoming Qatar World Cup qualifiers. China will play a visiting match at Maldives next Tuesday.

Elkeson will be the Italian's first choice at center forward position.

The 30-year-old has played in the Chinese Super League since 2013, so he is eligible to play for China after meeting FIFA's five-year residency requirement. He was eager to help his adopted country to score goals and wining matches.

"I knew the Chinese fans put how much hope on me, and I will repay them with my goals," Elkeson said.

"My target is to score more goals for China and help the team to win. We will play our first match in the qualifiers next week, hopefully we can have a good start," he added.

Learning Chinese has never become a serious business for Elkeson who stayed in China for more than seven years.

"I am learning Chinese everyday. Give me a bit more time, I could use Chinese to answer your questions soon," Elkeson said.

"Jia you, zhongguo!(Come on, China!)" he said in Chinese, before waving his hands to the reporters and turned around to the grass.