China

Marcello Lippi positive about China national team despite Serbia friendly defeat

Marcello Lippi’s China national team suffered a 2-0 defeat against Serbia in the international friendly in Guangzhou on Friday.

Without the service of Manchester United anchorman Nemanja Matic, Serbia proved to be too strong for China as they fully controlled the game.

Caretaker Mladen Krstajic and his squad needed almost 70 minutes to secure the win with a brace of Newcastle United forward Aleksandar Mitrovic.

After the game, China coach Marcello Lippi did not hide his disappointment.

“It’s a pity that we didn’t score in the match,” said Lippi, as quoted by Xinhua.

“This match is important for us to test our squad. The opponents of the two friendly we arrange are both World Cup finalists. We have predicted the match would be difficult. I was not satisfied with the first half, our players lack creativity, but in the second we played what we want.”