Zhao Xuri - International Career

International Career

His performances for Sichuan Guancheng were impressive enough for an immediate call up to the senior national team to play in the 2003 East Asian Cup. On 7 December 2003, he would make his debut during the tournament to play in a game against South Korea that China lost 1-0. During the tournament he would go on to score his first goal against Hong Kong on 10 December 2003 in a game that China won 3-1. His versatility saw him gain significant playing time and go on to selected in the squad to participate in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup where he played in two group games in an unsuccessful competition that saw China knocked out in the group stages.

In 2008, Zhao Xuri was eligible to play for the 2008 Summer Olympics squad where he played two of the three group games in the tournament. Once the tournament ended, he would find himself completely dropped from the senior team until new head coach Gao Hongbo brought him back into the senior team during a friendly against Germany on May 29, 2009 in a 1-1 draw. After the game, Zhao Xuri would establish himself as an integral member within the Chinese squad and settle himself as the first choice defensive midfielder within the team.