Lippi effect is clearly working but Road to Russia remains uphill strugglest
In the week when a new- look England took on Germany, it’s fitting that China took on South Korea. The Koreans are the dominant force on the continent and have a long history of getting the better of their hosts. Prior to the World Cup qualifier in Changsha on Thursday night, China had won only once in 32 meetings between the countries.
South Korea went into the game second in the group, with 11 points after five games, as they look to secure their ninth World Cup finals in a row and 10th appearance overall. That’s the best of any nation in the Asian Football Confederation, closely followed by Japan. While China’s other historic rivals are on course for their sixth World Cup, which have come consecutively since they qualified for France ’ 98, China would do well to focus on matching North Korea’s two appearances at the finals.
For that to happen at the next World Cup, which takes place in Russia in just 15 months’ time, they need new boss Marcello Lippi to change the national team’s fortunes. At the halfway point in this final group stage, China were bottom of the table on two points – eight points off Thursday’s opponents and the two guaranteed spots at the next World Cup.
That’s why Thursday night’s 1- 0 win over South Korea was nothing short of a miracle. It was China’s best performance since they lost in Seoul in the opening game of this group stage and satisfying payback for that 3- 2 defeat. China’s dreams of qualification remain alive thanks to Lippi’s very creditable record of four points from a possible six in the qualifiers he has overseen since re- placing Gao Hongbo.
Realistically, China’s best hope remains the slim chance of finishing third and the route of regional then continental playoff games for a place in Russia. But now they are off the bottom of the table, they can begin to dream. Syria’s last- gasp 1- 0 win over Uzbekistan will fuel those dreams. China are just three points behind Syria and four off the Uzbeks in third place with four games left to play.
It’s not going to be easy but it is possible. Every game is now must- win for Lippi – not least because World Cup qualification is not all that he is expected to deliver in his tenure. The CFA has stated their aim that China’s men’s national team will be in the top 70 in the official FIFA world rankings by 2020. China are currently ranked 86th in the world, so Lippi has his work cut out. The Italian has a contract until January 2019 and leading the nation to a second World Cup will go a long way to setting them on the right path. Their next stop will be away to group leaders Iran on Tuesday and if they can build on the win over South Korea, then Lippi and his team might want to think twice about booking a holiday next summer.