Lippi wants China to play without pressure
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, March 23, 2017
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China coach Marcello Lippi talks to reporters yesterday ahead of the 2018 World Cup Asian Zone qualifier against South Korea today. The Italian said they have found a way to break through the high-pressing defensive line of the South Korean team. — Xinhua |
China coach Marcello Lippi has sought to bolster the confidence of the players ahead of a do-or-die World Cup qualifying clash with South Korea today as the Italian attempts to encourage his squad to display more self-belief.
China has picked up just two points in five games and sits bottom of Group A, and defeat against Uli Stielike's side in Changsha's Helong Stadium would all but end any hopes of a top-three spot for Lippi's side.
"Tomorrow's game is the most important and our mentality is crucial," the 68-year-old former Guangzhou Evergrande coach, who took over the job after Gao Hongbo stepped down in October, told reporters.
"I have repeated that very often to the players since day one and they have to forget about all the pressure and fear. They are defending the honor of 1.4 billion Chinese people. Once they put on the jersey, they have to give their best. We are worse than no one in Asia as long as they play at their true level."
China, which has struggled for goals, is eight points behind second-placed South Korea and nine adrift of leader Iran as the top two teams advance to next year's finals in Russia with a playoff spot available for the third-place finishers.
"If we want to keep our dream of qualifying for the next year's World Cup alive, we have to win three points tomorrow and my players and I both know that," added Lippi, who led Italy to World Cup glory in 2006.
Lippi said his side has found a way to break through the high-pressing defensive line of the South Korean team.
"We will respect the opponent tomorrow. If you ask me how to restrict their strategy, I want you to watch the match in the stadium tomorrow. Everyone will find the answer on the pitch tomorrow," he said.
China has an unbeaten record in Changsha with four wins and four draws since 2005.
"Before I came to Changsha, I didn't know the good record here. I hope the city will give me a proof and we will do the same tomorrow night," Lippi said.
China's captain Zheng Zhi said his teammates know the opponent very well.
"In recent years, there have been lots of matches between the players in the Asian Champions League," said Zheng.
"We both know each other well. For us, we will win the ‘must-win' match. That is the only target for us."
Lippi's counterpart Uli Stielike said it would be a tough match for the South Koreans as well.
"Both teams have changed a lost since the match in last September. In that match, we can see the score is narrow. China has appointed a new coach recently. And its tactics and lineups have changed a lot. It will be a difficult match," the German said.
South Korean is without key forward Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur, although another English Premier League star, Swansea City's Ki Seung-yeung, has recovered from injury and is available.
"China will obviously move forward aggressively," Ki said. "If we start to move backwards, they will gain confidence."
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