SHANGHAI, June 27 -- CHINA'S embattled coach Zhu Guanghu says he will take full responsibility for the team's Asian Cup campaign, whatever the consequences for him personally.

The Chinese Football Association has resisted calls to replace the 57-year-old before next month's tournament, but he knows that anything less than the semifinals is likely to mean the sack.

"Whether the team plays well or badly, the reason is me," Zhu, who took over after China failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals, told reporters after training near Beijing late on Monday.

"I'm not afraid of anything, even this dagger at my throat, if only Chinese football can improve ... if Chinese football needs a stepping stone, I'll be it."

China, losing finalists as host of the last Asian Cup in 2004, has had a run of poor results this year with defeats to Australia, Thailand and the United States.

Zhu provoked some controversy by leaving top domestic scorer Li Jinyu out of his squad but said he was happy to take the blame for all decisions made under his stewardship.

"In the past two years nobody has interfered with my work," Zhu said.

"The decisions have all been mine and I will take all the responsibility for this Asian Cup.

"I have no regrets. As long as our team does well in the Asian Cup and at the next World Cup, anything for me will not be a problem."

China plays its opening match of the finals against co-hosts Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on July 10 and also faces Iran and Uzbekistan in Group C.