China PR vs Wales: TV channel, live stream, squad news & preview

Emily Willson

China PR vs Wales: TV channel, live stream, squad news & preview image

Ex-Manchester United star Ryan Giggs will take charge of his first match as Wales manager against China PR in the opening match of the International China Cup.

The four-team tournament takes place over four days, kicking off on Thursday March 22, with Uruguay and Czech Republic also competing.

Both teams will be keen to win after they failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, which led to Chris Coleman's departure as Wales head coach in November.

China finished just shy of an automatic spot in Russia this summer in Asian qualification, while Wales finished third in their European group behind Serbia and Republic of Ireland

Game China PR vs Wales
Date Thursday March 22
Time 11:35 GMT
Stream (UK only) BBC One Wales

Gareth Bale Wales European Qualifiers


TV Channel & Live Stream


In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be watched live on TV on BBC One Wales. The game isn't available to view in the US.  

UK TV channel Online stream
BBC One Wales BBC iPlayer

Squads & Team News


Position Wales players
Goalkeepers Hennessey, Crowe, Maxwell
Defenders Williams, Davies, Chester, Matthews, Gunter, John, Roberts, Lockyer, Mepham
Midfielders Allen, Evans, King, Hedges, Watkins
Forwards  Bale, Woodburn, Wilson, Bodin, Voakes, Bradshaw

Giggs has suffered a setback in his first game as manager since taking the job in January as Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is due to undergo minor surgery/

Tom Lawrence, Joe Ledley, Neil Taylor and Ethan Ampadu have also all been forced to withdraw from the international friendly tournament because of injury.

However, Welsh captain Ashley Williams and Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale are both fit to play. 

Potential Wales XI: Hennessey; Williams, Davies, Chester, Gunter; Allen, Evans, King; Bale, Woodburn, Voakes.

Position China PR players
Goalkeepers Cheng, Dalei, Junling
Defenders Hanwen, Linpeng, Xuepeng, Zhunyi, Hang, Zhipeng, Xiaoting
Midfielders Xizhe, Yongpo, Junmin, Hongbo, Xuri
Forwards Lei, Zhi, Lin, Hanchao

Betting & Match Odds


Wales are strong favourites to win the game according to dabblebet , who price them at 17/20. China are priced at 3/1 to win and a draw is 23/10.

A 0-0 draw between the two sides is also priced as 11/2.


Match Preview


Ryan Giggs Wales manager

Wales will be hoping to redeem themselves after being defeated in two of their last three matches, including their elimination from the World Cup qualifiers by Republic of Ireland.

Giggs is hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow Welsh playing icon Mark Hughes, who kicked off his full-time managerial career with a five-year stint in charge of his country in 1999.

It's the first-ever match between the two teams and China manager Marcello Lippi - who guided Italy to World Cup glory in 2006 - is still hopeful of his team's ability despite Wales being strong favourites to win.

"There is still a gap between China and the teams like Wales and the Czech Republic," Lippi told reporters.

"But the gap is getting smaller, as there is a big movement about football being carried out here in China."

The Dragons will be boosted by Bale being match fit despite him failing to score in his last four games, which is good news for the Welsh FA as they'll be awarded £1 million by the China Cup organisers if their star player features.

The winner will proceed straight to the final and the loser will play in a third-place play-off against the losing side in the Uruguay vs Czech Republic game. 

Emily Willson