Australia coach Pim Verbeek suffered a bout of gastroenteritis and nearly collapsed during a news conference the day before his team’s World Cup qualifier against China in Kunming, local media reported on Wednesday.

The Dutchman appeared to “go green” and steady himself against a chair after being asked a question, the South China Morning Post said.

“I thought he was having a heart attack,” the Hong Kong newspaper quoted a reporter as saying.

The news conference was called off but a tired-looking Verbeek later appeared before reporters again, saying he felt better.

The stomach bug also struck down another team official Verbeek said it had nothing to do with the food provided.

“We have not brought in special food. The hotel food is excellent and the players have no complaints,” Verbeek said.

Australia also cancelled a training session at the local Tuodong stadium on Tuesday when a police escort failed to turn up.

The match kicks off later on Wednesday.