| As a teenager, Li Tie joined the selected youth team sponsored by Jianlibao who trained in Brazil in the mid-1990s. Four years later, in 1997, he made his debut with the national team in their unsuccessful attempt to reach the World Cup in 1998. Despite of his team's failure, Li Tie began to show his talent as a mid-fielder through his incrediblefitness and courageous play. In 1999, he helped his Liaoning Club finish runners-up of both C-league and FA Cup.
China's World Cup hope was re-kindled with four-times world cup coach Bora Milutinovic's taking the helm of the team in 2000. Li Tie, one of the most promising players then, was recalled to the national team and became an all-time starting regular under Milutinovic.
China started their run to the World Cup in 2001, and this time, they enjoyed the best-ever chance as both arch rivals Japan and Korea held automatic places as hosts. Grouped with UAE, Qatar, Omen and Uzbekistan, the China team successfully marked their first-ever qualification for world cup with a non-defeat qualifiers play.
Li Tie, the only player to take part full-time in all qualifiers was one of Bora Milutinovic's most important players and as such, received high praise from this Serbian coach. "No one could replace him in his position within the China team," said Milutinovic, "he plays relentlessly and runs tirelessly. He could appear anytime and anywhere on the pitch when needed."
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| | | Glossary | | | | | | | | | all-time starting regular | | 一直首发的球员 | |
| | | non-defeat qualifiers | | 保持不败获得出线资格的球队 | |
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prep.尽管 (初中英语单词)
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