 Vakapinda mumakwikwi ekupedzisira zvakare muna 2001, asi vakakundwa nechikwata cheBora Milutinovic cheChina, icho chakatungamira chikamu ichi kuti chiende kuFIFA World Cup yavo yekutanga. MuFrenchman Philippe Troussier akatora basa romutungamiriri mushure me2002 World CupmuKorea neJapan, asi haana kubudirira zvose zviri zviviri muAsia Cup ya2004 uye mumushandirapamwe wokugadzirira weWorld Cup ya2006 muGermany. 