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Jonathan White

China’s AFC Asian Cup 2019 adventure ended in tears and finger pointing on Thursday night with a 3-0 loss to Iran in Dubai.
China’s fans in the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium were seen crying after the loss, as was long-term leader Zheng Zhi.
The 38-year-old was misty-eyed during his post-match interview in what might be his final game for his country. Along with manager Marcello Lippi, it might also be the end of the line for most of the squad – the oldest ever taken to an Asian Cup.
There were 17 members of the 23-man party that were aged 29 or older, with Zheng the oldest of the lot.


Despite the disappointment, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) thanked fans for their support throughout the tournament on their official Weibo account.
Age was a common theme for discussion among commenters on Weibo, with many comparing China to the rising southeast Asian footballing nations Vietnam and Thailand as well as Japan, who won their quarter-final with a young squad.
Chinese fans blame Manchester United for their loss to Son Heung-min’s South Korea at the AFC Asian Cup

The loss to the best team in Asia was expected, but it has not passed without discussion – though there were some positive reactions.
Though China have risen to seventh in the Asia rankings from eighth in Lippi’s reign, the media and fans have taken a step back to look at the direction of Chinese football.
Their Asian Cup exit means the “China Football Association 2020 Action Plan” has failed – China missed out on their aim of qualifying for the 2018 Under-18 Asian Cup and the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups.
Chinese football fans confused by sight of 32-year-old Serbian playing for China Under-25 national team

There is widespread agreement among social media users that as well as the team being too old there needs to be better youth training in the future.
Some suggested Chinese football will not improve until the body that runs it is taken apart.
Change is on the way in the form of Lippi’s exit, at least – the 70-year-old, who won the World Cup as Italy boss in 2006, stepped down after the game.

The Italian’s departure was widely expected, and the reviews of his reign have been mixed.
“A retired coach, in his 70s, holds the world’s top salary. Do you dare to say that he is unsuccessful?” asked one commenter.
Others pointed out Lippi was “not a god” so could not take China further than he did.
The Italian’s record compares favourably to China’s greatest ever manager, Bora Milutinovic. The Serbian coach took China to their only World Cup appearance in Japan and South Korea in 2002.
Qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar begins in 223 days’ time, and the question now is who will be in charge.

Commenters fancifully mentioned Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, who is now looking for a job after being sacked by Manchester United, as potential replacements.
Whoever gets the gig might have their work cut out based on Lippi’s parting words.
“I want to thank all of you,” he said. “It was an honour managing the national team of such an important country and I tried my best to improve this team.
“I was really hoping to end this experience in a better way, but you cannot make these kind of mistakes.
“We had a good Asian Cup and played some good games but I find it unacceptable to commit these types of errors.
“I thank my players for their efforts, but not for what they did tonight.
“I’m a bit angry, this was just a lack of concentration. I knew they were stronger than us. I was expecting a tough match but you cannot give such gifts to a team like Iran.”


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AFC Asian Cup 2019

Asian Cup: China adventure ends in tears as Marcello Lippi fires parting shot at players

China midfielder Zhi Zheng is in tears after China’s Asian Cup quarter-final exit. Photo: AFP

epa07316324 Players of China react after losing the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter final round match between China and Islamic Republic of Iran in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 24 January 2019. EPA-EFE/ALI HAIDER

epa07316038 Sardar Azmoun (Front) of Islamic Republic of Iran in action to score second goal during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter final round match between China and Islamic Republic of Iran in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 24 January 2019. EPA-EFE/ALI HAIDER

China's players greet their fans during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final football match between China and Iran at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 24, 2019. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)

(190125) -- ABU DHABI, Jan. 25, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Head coach of China Marcello Lippi (R) looks on during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarterfinal match between China and Iran in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, on Jan. 24, 2019. Iran won 3-0 to progress through to the semifinals. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

Chinese fans blame Manchester United for their loss to Son Heung-min’s South Korea at the AFC Asian Cup

South Korea forward Son Heung-Min applauds fans at the end of the AFC Asian Cup group C win over China. Photo: AP

Chinese football fans confused by sight of 32-year-old Serbian playing for China Under-25 national team

Nikola Petrovic runs with the ball for China Under-25s against Slovakia B. Photo: Dongqiudi

China's forward Xiao Zhi celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the AFC Asian Cup round of 16 soccer match between Thailand and China at the Hazza Bin Zayed stadium in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

The China Under-25 line-up

Sport

Football

China

China limp out of tournament with dismal 3-0 loss to Iran in the quarter-finals
Departing coach Lippi says it is ‘unacceptable for players to make these kinds of errors’


China limp out of tournament with dismal 3-0 loss to Iran as coach Marcello Lippi says it is ‘unacceptable for players to make these kinds of errors’


Asian Cup: China adventure ends in tears as Marcello Lippi fires parting shot at players

China limp out of tournament with dismal 3-0 loss to Iran in the quarter-finals Departing coach Lippi says it is ‘unacceptable for players to make these kinds of errors’

China limp out of tournament with dismal 3-0 loss to Iran in the quarter-finals

Departing coach Lippi says it is ‘unacceptable for players to make these kinds of errors’