The local football complex contains four training pitches, more than the nearby university where China held their first few practices. On the eve of the side's opening match, this session was less intense than those of the preceding days, and the training time basically simulated a real match.

During the practice sessions, captain He Chao, the Changchun Yatai midfielder, took center stage as his teammates kept passing him the ball.

Soccer is one of several sports getting underway prior to Saturday's opening ceremony. The men's tournament includes 25 teams split into six pools.