Coach of Chinese national team Marcello Lippi attends a news conference ahead of China's World Cup Qualifier match against Qatar, in Kunming, Yunnan province, China, November 14, 2016. REUTERS/Stringer
CHANGSHA, China (Reuters) - China coach Marcello Lippi has sought to bolster player confidence ahead of a do-or-die World Cup qualifying clash with South Korea on Thursday as the Italian attempts to encourage his squad to display more self-belief.
China have picked up just two points in five games to sit bottom of Group A in AFC third round qualifying and defeat against Uli Stielike's side in Changsha's Helong Stadium would all but end any hope of a top-three spot for Lippi's side.
