By CGTN's Guo Zhijie
China will continue its quest to qualify for the 2018 World Cup when the national team travels to Malaysia to face Syria on June 13.
Marcello Lippi, the Italian coach of China's football team, spoke to CGTN about the key match. China currently sits second from bottom in Group A and trails the Syrians by three points.
Lippi said: “I think we can win and we must win. Our players should be aware that it was not normal for us to lose to Syria at home. I don't understand that result, but I am sure that we will claim victory against Syria in Malaysia.”
China coach Lippi watches from the sidelines. /VCG Photo
China has just one win in this round of qualifying, and several ideas have been suggested to help the country improve, including developing a national B team.
The starting eleven of Chinese U20 football team. /VCG Photo
Lippi told CGTN: “I raised the idea of organizing a national B team. As far as I can see, three or four years ago, there were not many opportunities for young players to show their ability at the club level. I hope the national B team will provide more chances for them because they are the future of the nation's football.
“So for the players who are under the age of 25 and are good enough, the PRC national B team will be an open gate. Furthermore, some veteran forwards are also in the list for the national B team as the Chinese Super League clubs always prefer to use foreign players.”
