Lippi calls for determined display

China coach Marcello Lippi has called upon his players to give a ‘determined and motivated display’ so that they can latch on to the ‘very small’ chance of qualifying for next year’s World Cup finals in Russia.
“We know that we have a small chance to get ahead. We feel we have a chance to qualify for the world Cup. For that, we have to do our best. We must get the three points, we are prepared for the match.”
“We are concentrated for the match, the most important thing is motivation and we need strong determination. More  than the organisation of play we need determination from my players,” said the Italian, who guided his home country to the world cup title in 2006.
“We have no pressure as we have nothing to lose,” he added.
Qatar, who are out of the qualifying race, aim to continue with the youthful side which took the field in the last match against Syria. Lippi was not sure what to expect from the unknown bunch of players that will take the field for Qatar.
“I do not know whether the news is good for us or not, that Qatar are going to field a young side, that means they are very good, technically and physically very good. So we are not spending much effort on the other team, what we need to do is to give our best, we are looking for the best motivation and determination as we approach the game.”
China may have kept alive their hopes of qualifying with the morale-boosting win over Uzbekistan but will still need to beat Qatar today and hope other results go their way if they are to clinch third place in Group A and the resultant play-off spot.
The Qataris, on the other hand only have pride to play for at Khalifa Stadium after a campaign that has yielded just two wins.
Lippi said that the teams will go for an all out attack approach.
“Score as much and we can, we need to score but we need to strike a balance between defense and offence, Lippi said while talking to journalists on the eve of the match.
In  Lippi’s first competitive game in charge, China and Qatar played out a frustrating 0-0 draw in Kunming last November in what was only their second point in Group A.
But this time around, China with nine points, three behind Syria and Uzbekistan, will need to win by a sizable margin and hope Syria and Uzbekistan lose to Iran and Korea Republic respectively if they are to have any chance of progressing.
China have shown steady progress under Lippi, with 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan making it two wins and two draws in the five games the Italian has been at the helm.