Marcello Lippi says China's World Cup dream still alive despite failing to beat Qatar
Goalless drew with Qatar to remain bottom of group A without a win in their first five games on the road to Russia 2018
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Marcello Lippi said China’s hopes of reaching the next World Cup aren’t “dead yet” after they were unlucky not to snatch all the points in his first game in charge.
China drew 0-0 with Qatar to remain bottom of group A, but Lippi took heart from a bright performance when the hosts twice hit the woodwork in Kunming.
Lippi’s China now have five games to rise up the six-team table, where only the top two win automatic spots at Russia 2018 and the third-placed side goes into a play-off series.
“We knew before this match that our hope of qualifying to the World Cup in Russia was a very small one and it will be even more difficult after this game,” said Lippi.
Watch: China v Qatar highlights
“After today’s match, I want to tell my players that they are not inferior to their opponents. We were able to play good football and proved that we were better than Qatar.
“We will do our best as long as we have a theoretical chance of qualifying. We are on the right track and that is what matters. If we keep performing like this, the hope is not dead yet.”
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Lippi, who coached Italy to win the 2006 World Cup, is under no illusions as to the task facing China, who have just two points from five games and are currently seven adrift of third place.
When qualifying resumes in March, China host South Korea and they also have tough away assignments against Iran, Syria and Qatar among their final games.
Watch: South Korea v Uzbekistan highlights
South Korea beat Uzbekistan 2-1 to move second in group A, one behind leaders Iran, and Japan also overcame Saudi Arabia to join their visitors on 10 points at the top of group B.
But Asian champions Australia were left fuming after they needed a second half Mile Jedinak penalty to rescue a point in their surprise 2-2 draw with Thailand.
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“What’s up for grabs is a position at the World Cup and we have to be aware that every team is willing to die in order to achieve it and we have to be better than them with that aspect,” said goalkeeper Mat Ryan, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I think that’s the first step for us and then we have to go about implementing our system of play and how we want to play and it’s not good enough, tonight.”
Watch: Thailand v Australia highlights
Elsewhere, the United Arab Emirates beat Iraq 2-0 at home, while Syria shared a goalless draw with Iran.
The draw leaves Iran a point clear of South Korea at the top of group A, with the UAE level on points with third place Australia in group B just a point behind leaders Saudi Arabia and Japan.
Watch: United Arab Emirates v Iraq highlights
Watch: Syria v Iran highlights
