Zheng Zhi
Zheng Zhi (Chinese郑智, Pinyin Zheng Zhi, born August 20, 1980 in Shenyang) is a Chinese football player. Since 2010 he plays for Guangzhou Evergrande.
Career
Zheng began his career at Liaoling Chuangye, before joining in the cadre of Shenzhen Jianlibao 2001. In his first season the club fifth in the highest Chinese league was. After the runner-up title in 2002, where Zheng first Chinese footballer of the year and in fourth place in 2003, 2004 the championship was brought into the newly created Super League.
2005 Zheng moved to league rivals Shandong Luneng. It was reached at the end of the first season, 3rd place. In 2006, the midfielder celebrated his second championship title, at the same time the Cup was won and as an encore Zheng was the second time Chinese Footballer of the Year.
During the winter break of 2006/ 07, the Chinese moved to Europe and signed on loan with the then British first division side Charlton Athletic. The club was relegated in 19th, four points were missing for saving the banks. Because of good performance, he was obliged by the Addicks and in the following season in the Football League Championship was the eleventh place be achieved. In the 2008 /09 season, he had to compete with Charlton the transition to the third- highest league in England. The club was relegated from the last to the second division.
Then he was bound for Celtic Glasgow. For the Scots, he made his debut in the Old Firm against the Rangers, when he took out the penalty to 1:2. The game ended but also 1:2.
International played Zheng (Updated: November 14, 2009) so far 49 times for the Chinese national football team, scoring twelve hits. He participated in his native China at the Asia Cup 2004. He came in all group matches are used, where he scored against Bahrain the meantime it 1-1. In the quarterfinals, he managed to win by two goals against Iraq his team to the semifinals. There, then, Iran was eliminated in a penalty shootout, Zheng was able to turn a penalty. In the final against Japan Zheng played through it, but could not prevent the 1-3 defeat. Overall, he was in all six games of the Chinese on the pitch and scored three goals.
In Asia Cup 2007 in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam Zheng was used in two group matches, where he received a yellow card in both. China difference in the group stage as third in the group behind Iran and Uzbekistan.
In 2008 he took part in the Olympic Games in Beijing. In the group matches against New Zealand and Belgium Zheng was used. In the group match against Belgium he saw in the 64th minute red card. China was eliminated as a group of third parties.
Achievements
- Chinese Champion 2004, 2006
- Chinese FA Cup winner in 2006
- Chinese Footballer of the Year 2002, 2006
- Final of the Asia Cup 2004