BEIJING, Sept 14: China have appointed former Yugoslavia international Vladimir Petrovic as national coach for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, local media reported on Friday, citing the China Football Association (CFA).

The Serbian’s appointment came on the recommendation of compatriot and former Red Star Belgrade team mate Ratomir Dujkovic, who last year was made coach of China’s Olympic team.

The CFA and Petrovic signed a one-year contract which would end in Sept. 2008, Chinanews.com said.

The Serbian would be responsible for steering China through qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and would lead the team at a regional tournament involving Japan, South Korea and North Korea in 2008, Chinanews.com quoted the CFA as saying.

China last month sacked Zhu Guanghu following the national team’s dismal performance at the Asian Cup and announced their intention to hire a foreign coach.

The 32-year-old Petrovic would report to Dujkovic, who would act as general manager overseeing both the national and Olympic teams, Internet portal sina.com said in a separate report. China face Myanmar in a World Cup preliminary qualifying round tie on Oct 21 and 28.—Reuters