Marcello Lippi (R) and Cai Zhenhua, president of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), shake hands as Marcello Lippi is given China's national team coach shirt at a news conference in Beijing, China October 28, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee
BEIJING: Marcello Lippi said his first priority as China coach is to restore some confidence to his players as he looks to breathe some life into their faltering campaign to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
The 68-year-old, who guided Italy to World Cup glory in 2006, was named China coach last weekend and has two weeks to get his side ready for their next qualifier against Qatar in Kunming on Nov. 15.
“We need to play one match at a time, we need to face Qatar next month and we hope that through this match the members of the national team can get some confidence and self-esteem back,” he told reporters at a news conference yesterday.
Lippi is China’s third coach this year and takes over with the country bottom of their six-team, third round Asian qualifying group with one draw and three defeats after four of their 10 scheduled matches.
