Charlton midfielder Zheng Zhi will captain his country when hosts China kick off their 2008 Olympic Games campaign against New Zealand today (Thursday).

Zheng is one of three over-age players in his country's under-23 squad and will skipper his side in the opening Group C clash in Beijing's Shenyang Olympic Stadium.

After playing New Zealand, China meet Belgium at the same venue three days later, before the group concludes with a clash against Brazil on August 13 at the Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Qinhuangdao.

Zheng, who struck nine times in 45 matches for Charlton last season, may miss the first four Championship matches of the new campaign if China progress to the final.