Marcello Lippi Will Make China Stronger: Carlos Queiroz
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz praised China counterpart Marcello Lippi ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier between the two nations, saying the Italian will make China stronger.
Under guidance of Lippi, China drew 0-0 with Qatar and defeated South Korea 1-0 at home.
“Lippi has been everywhere in football and he will make China a stronger and more intelligent team," Queiroz told the South China Morning Post.
“We know that China will be well-organized and will be compact in defense. We have to be patient to try and break them down but also be careful of their counter-attacking.”
Queiroz, who helped steer Iran to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, also believes that having a coach of Lippi’s caliber plying his trade in Asia can only be good for the continent as a whole.
“It is good for Asian football that Lippi is here,” he said.
“The way world football and the schedule of international games is organized, it is difficult for Asian teams to compete with the traditional strong nations in Europe and South America but it helps to have some of the best coaches working here.
“They can help raise the level and make Asia more competitive.”
