China lost to Estonia 5-4 at the IIHF World Championship Division I Group A tournament on April 18, 2007. [Photo: zsnews]

Five defeats out of five games at the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) World Championship Division I Group A tournament, China has been demoted to division II after losing 3-9 to the Netherlands on Saturday.

Where is the last straw of the Chinese team and what measures to take to reverse the slipping shape?

The answer is an experienced foreign coach, suggested Lan Li, the deputy director of the winter sports center in State General Administration of Sport.

"We are looking for an experienced foreign coach to take over the Chinese team. Now the only uncertainty is where the coach will come from," said Lan.

It's not a first attempt for China to have an overseas trainer, and it also did not function well over past efforts reckoning on a foreign coach.

"It's not easy to find an appropriate coach for the Chinese team. The Chinese team does not possess the mightiness to draw in a top coach, but if it's not a master-hand it won't change China's conditions much. So it's something rare to see a foreign coach instruct China for over a whole year," concluded Lan over past experience.

Finnish Jarmo Jomalainen is China's latest foreign coach. Health problem forced Jomalainen to leave China.

Jomalainen pointed out China's problems at his helm of the team in the Winter Asian Games.

"Playing against a less powerful team, Chinese players lack the fighting spirit. Facing a kick-ass team, they blow up respect to their opponents for fear. The Chinese team loses its determination to win," commented Jomalainen during the Winter Asian Games on January.

"In China, there are only 200 ice hockey players and two professional teams. How could you ensure a strong team from such a source. We need to strengthen the backup and maintain a sustainable supply," said Xiang Shuqing, China's head coach.

"One bothering problem is the players can't convert their training level to match. They train in one way but compete in another," added Xiang.

According to Lan, China is set to find a recognized foreign coach and unite the Harbin team and Qiqihar team, the backbone of Chinese ice hockey, to one team to play the Asian ice hockey league.