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16:21, 01-Dec-2017
Lippi selects new line-up for China's national team
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Despite being absent from the World Cup draw, there is still plenty to think about for China's national team as they get ready for the East Asian Football Championship in Japan. For the event, coach Marcello Lippi has selected a new array of talent, but they have some big boots to fill if they want to keep the old guard from keeping their place in the squad.
Zheng Zhi has been the captain of China since World Cup-winning boss Lippi took over the charge in October 2016. However the former Premier League defender is missing from this line-up, as well as familiar faces Gao Lin, Feng Xiaoting and Wu Lei. Their Italian coach said that these players needed rest after a busy season.
"Many of the veteran players are from Guangzhou Evergrande or SIPG. They had a very intense schedule in the past season. I believe it's irresponsible for a head coach to not give them a 30-day vacation after the have been playing hard for a whole year. I want to stress that the players are not robots," said Lippi.
"They train and play games all year long, and would feel exhausted mentally and physically. We should use our players with reason, and not to exploit them endlessly. Or they may lose their enthusiasm for the national team," he added.