The never-say-die fighting spirit we saw from the players of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in their World Cup match against mighty Brazil impressed many around the world. The Chinese, especially the sport's governing officials, should be no exceptions.

While we feel proud the three Asian teams in South Africa, we also tend to ask what's really wrong with China, where we repeatedly claim soccer was originated.

If the Republic of Korea (ROK)'s semifinal appearance in the 2002 World Cup was because of homefield advantage, their emphatic 2-0 victory over European champions Greece with a dazzling display was by no means a flash in the pan. After all, it was their eighth and seventh straight World Cup appearance.

2002 World Cup co-hosts Japan's victory over the "Indomitable Lions" of Cameroon was their first Cup win under a local coach. Struggling with a China hoodoo in the 1980s, Japan has now become a major force after 20 years of learning the Brazilian style of play.

The DPRK team has strong tactical discipline and will. A consolation goal after being two goals down against the world's top side is enough to make the defeat a glorious one.

Before the World Cup, many people felt Asian soccer and the rest of the world was drifting apart. But now we can see the gap is not so great through the efforts of all the Asian countries, especially the above three.

Those teams are likely to make China's World Cup road bumpier.

We believe we are making progress. But compared with our neighbors, we are not up to them in many aspects.

We can no longer indulge in our East Asian invitational tournament victory, though we did end an ROK curse by beating them for our first victory over them in 32 years.

Chinese soccer needs change, not only the playing field but also in the state of mind. It is short-sighted if we do not admit others' progress. For our neighbors' progress, we give them a big round of applause. We can learn from them without a single bit of "hatred of the rich" mentality.

The example of the rather secluded nation DPRK also tells us that blind imitation is not all. Every country has its own way of development, advantages and disadvantages and short and long-term goals. Finding the right path and direction is what we need to decide.

Great heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis once said: "You can run, but you can't hide."