Vladimir Petrovic  (File Photo)

    BEIJING, Dec. 11 -- China coach Vladimir Petrovic has told his players to shed body fat if they want to stay in his squad for the World Cup qualifiers.

    A physical examination last weekend during a national team training camp in Guangzhou revealed that nine of the 22 outfield players were too flabby.

    "The excessive fat will seriously affect their mobility and speed," Petrovic told Titan newspaper.

    The names of players who failed the tests were not revealed.

    "I hope they reduce it as quickly as they can."

    Petrovic, who is coaching the team under the direction of China's Olympic coach and fellow Serb Ratomir Dujkovic, has a track record of being strict on physical conditioning.

    He relegated one striker to the bench and sold a defender for being overweight when he was managing the Chinese Super League club Dalian Shide in 2005.

    "I have discussed with Dujkovic that we should send our best squad to the World Cup qualifiers ... the premise is they must be strong enough," Petrovic said.

    China has been drawn with Asian Cup winner Iraq, 2006 World Cup qualifier Australia and Asian Games champion Qatar in the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.

    "If we get through the 'group of death,' I think it will be tears rather than smiles ... it will be too exciting for me," Petrovic told the paper.

    China made it to the South Korea-Japan World Cup in 2002.

    (Source: Shanghai Daily/Agencies)