PARIS, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Super League Guo'an striker Dejan Damjanovic has been back from Beijing for his national team's European championship qualifiers.
"Getting to France in 2016 is achievable," he told the European soccer governing body's official website UEFA.com on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old has played in Asia for eight years, winning twice the K-League titles with FC Seoul in South Korea before he joined Jiangsu Sainty in 2013 and then Beijing Guo'an
"It is not a personal challenge because it doesn't matter if I score a lot of goals," said Damjanovic. "I am proud to represent Montenegrin and European football in Asia in the best possible way. When I play for the national team, the most important thing is not to score, but to give my best."
Montenegro, who did not participate in qualifying for Euro 2008 and narrowly missed out on the 2012 final tournament following a play-off defeat by the Czech Republic, sit now in Group G while top-two finishers from each of the nine groups will earn direct berths in addition to the hosts France and the best No. 3 team.
"We were close and it was painful, but that is in the past," said Damjanovic. "In qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, we had many problems with injuries and never had a full squad. Without those problems, France in 2016 is an achievable goal."
- 英语文摘:Chelsea, Leicester draw, Everton-Man City postponed due to COVID-19
- 英语文摘:CBA roundup: Shanghai snaps Guangdong's 9-game winning streak, Fujian smashes Nanjing
- 英语文摘:Messi grateful for Ballon d'Or Dream Team spot
- 英语文摘:New York nurse receives COVID-19 vaccine, kicking off state inoculation
- 英语文摘:Flick's lucky hand: Paris pupil Coman securing Bayern's glory