A combination of photos show China national soccer team's new home kit Matt Judon Ravens Jersey , left, and away kit, right, supplied by Nike. CCTV 5 posted the photos on Sina Weibo. [Photoweibo]
US sports gear giant Nike was caught off guard as the new sponsor of China's national soccer team and had to improvise kits and other equipment less than a week before the highly-anticipated Asian Cup campaign.


Nike struck a deal worth $16 million (100 million yuan) a year to be the team's gear supplier until 2026 after China Football Association ended its more than 30-year-old partnership with Adidas, Nike's biggest global competitor, at the end of 2014.


Nike was allowed to provide the new home shirts China will wear at the 2015 Asian Cup, featuring the traditional red color and white polo collar, while the away shirts will see a striking red vertical stripe running down and a red armband, according to Tencent Sports.


The design, though based on the golden fashion mantra "less is more", still drew criticism as some thought it was incomplete without the dragon element, the traditional Chinese totem.


Others supported Nike, arguing that the Asian Cup demand came at a short notice for Nike as usually companies get a year to start preparations for tailor-made kits for their clients.


China will kick off its Asian Cup competition with a Group B game against Saudi Arabia on Jan 10.


Chinese soccer fans, many of whom have been disheartened by the team's poor performance in past years, still pin their hopes on its better form in warm-ups and its new French coach Alain Perrin, who also sees the Asian Cup as a testing ground of his capabilities.


The men's team has often lit the fuse of public fury for their lack of spirit and energy following some fiascos, including the humiliating 5-1 defeat to a half-string Thailand team in a 2013 friendly.

(Xinhua photo) (Xinhua photo) (Xinhua photo) (Xinhua photo) (Xinhua photo) (Xinhua photo)

LONDON, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The six-year-old boy who won the hearts of Britain as he bravely battled terminal cancer died Friday.


Chirpy, smiling Bradley Lowery was given VIP treatment at Premier League stadiums across England by fans who admired the way he stoically faced tough cancer treatment.


Such was the admiration for Bradley he led out the England team at the famous Wembley stadium in London for a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.


In December he was led out onto the pitch at the start of a premier league match between Sunderland and Chelsea, cheered by fans of both sides when he scored a penalty goal. His goal won the the coveted goal of the month award.


As a fan of the north East England club Sunderland, Bradley became the club's mascot and struck up a friendship with his all-time hero Jermain Defoe.


The former Sunderland player travelled to Bradley's home in Durham just a few days ago for what would be his final visit.


Bradley's parents posted a photo of their son, sleeping as he was cradled in the arms of Defoe.


During the visit, Defoe said: "Away from football the relationship I've managed to develop with Bradley and what I've brought to his life and what he's brought to mine has been really special," he said. It's just been sad to see him go through what he has been and he's only six. But I still feel blessed that I'm able to be in his life."


The young fan was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancer, when he was just 18 months old.


Bradley's parents broke the news of his death on their social media site, saying their brave boy "went with the angels today".


They said: "He was our little superhero and put the biggest fight up but he was needed else where. There are no words to describe how heartbroken we are."


Tributes have poured in from across the world, led by Sunderland FC who said: "Bradley captured the hearts and minds of everyone at our club."


Bradley won a world wide following last Christmas when an appeal was launched for him to receive as many Christmas cards as possible.


Within days 250,000 Christmas cards arrived at his home, with volunteers helping to open all if the cards and parcels he received from well-wishers on every continent.


Money raised in the hope of finding a treatment for the boy will go to the Bradley Lowery Foundation which aims to help other youngsters diagnosed with the disease.


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JINAN, east China, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng head coach Cuca said on Monday that South Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are one of the leading teams in east Asia, but still feels confident to beat them.


"Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors play the game in a very fast pace with several excellent foreign players, and I think they are one of the leading teams in east Asia," said Cuca ahead of the two teams' clash on Tuesday in the Asian Champions League.


Shandong beat Vietnam's Becamex Binh Duong in the opening round, while Jeonbuk were held 0-0 at home by Japan's Kashiwa Reysol.


The Chinese Super League side need three more points to build up solid advantage and Jeonbuk want a win to catch up.


"Jeonbuk should have won the game against Kashiwa Reysol as the game proceeded. They had chances but tied 0-0 in the end," Cuca said. "Jeonbuk took the title of t.