ABU DHABI (AFP) - Sour Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson scrapped dinner plans with old foe Marcello Lippi after China thrashed his Philippines side 3-0 on Friday (Jan 11) to reach the last 16 of the Asian Cup.
China's star striker Wu Lei fired a brilliant double against the Filipino "Street Dogs" in Abu Dhabi as Lippi emerged victorious in a heavyweight coaching clash.
As is custom between the two elder statesmen of the game, the loser buys the other dinner, washed down with a vintage bottle of wine.
But Eriksson had little stomach for the old pals' act when the septuagenarians embraced after the match.
"No, no dinner plans," snapped the former England manager.
"I was not in a very good mood for a long discussion. I just wished (Lippi) good luck for the future."
"We forgot about Wu Lei - twice," grimaced Eriksson, who previously coached the match-winner at Chinese club Shanghai SIPG.
"If you do that he will punish you and he did with two great goals. We paid a heavy price but we are not home yet. We still have hope - but small hope, probably."
China, runners-up in 1984 and 2004, top Group C with a perfect six points from two games - ahead of South Korea on goal difference - after beating Kyrgyzstan 2-1 in their opening game.
But they looked far sharper against the Philippines, like the former Soviet republic also appearing in their first Asian Cup.
"I'm very proud of my players," said Lippi, who led his native Italy to World Cup victory in 2006.
"They were aggressive, focused and showed a lot of quality. If we can continue to play like that we have nothing to fear from any team at this Asian Cup."
WU MAGIC
Lippi's side should have led after 32 minutes when Wu Xi headed wastefully wide from point-blank range.
But Wu Lei provided the spark five minutes before half-time, turning on the edge of the box and whipping a right-foot shot into the far corner.
His second was even better as he swivelled to slam a Hao Junmin free kick past goalkeeper Michael Falkesgaard on the volley after 66 minutes to effectively finish the tie.
Substitute Yu Dabao added a third 10 minutes from time for China, who are looking to improve on their quarter-final finish in Australia four years ago.
Lippi waxed lyrical about the prolific Wu Lei, China's most coveted player and Shanghai's record goalscorer, who has been linked with a move to English Premier League side Wolves.
"He looked very sharp and scored two goals of fantastic quality," said the Italian.
"But we are used to seeing that quality from him. It is no wonder teams in Europe are interested in him."
Pulverised 8-1 the last time the teams met in 2017, the Philippines gave China more of a fight this time, having lost 1-0 to South Korea earlier this week.
Kevin Ingreso forced a fingertip save from China goalkeeper Yan Junling in first-half stoppage time, but Eriksson's players faded badly after the break.
South Korea, runners-up in 2015, beat Kyrgyzstan 1-0 in a late kickoff in Al Ain to advance to the knockout stage.
Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller has expressed his anger following Germany manager Joachim Low's decision to axe both him and two of his World Cup winning team-mates from the national team.
World Cup winner Thomas Muller blasts Loew for 'bad taste
Jun 01, 2019 · Mohamed Salah scores from the penalty spot past Hugo Lloris only two minutes into the final. was one of the players driving on Spurs when they started to threaten more frequently in the second
Son Heung-min's late winner gives Tottenham edge over Manchester City City were not at their best as Spurs chased and harried Pep Guardiola's side for 90 minutes and they will rue Sergio
Son's late winner gives Tottenham edge over Man City
Messi claims record 5th Golden Shoe Ad "The truth is I had no idea this would happen when I started. I dreamt of playing professional football and enjoying success, I love the game, but I
Football: Messi claims record 5th Golden Shoe, Football News
Arsenal returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over bottom side Huddersfield Town on Saturday, but remain the only side without an away clean sheet in the Premier League this season.
Iwobi, Lacazette lead Arsenal to win at Huddersfield
A year after Mo Salah's Champions League final heartbreak, he steps up to blast them ahead after just two minutes. Salah and Origi fire Liverpool to sixth Champions League final crown as Spurs
Hazard is expected to make an imminent visit to the Spanish capital to search for houses and get to know the city which will soon be his new home. Soccer Premier League Real Madrid Transfer
Real Madrid Kit Leak: Images of New Home Shirt for 2019/20
England captain Harry Kane wants to end career as NFL kicker Harry Kane is a fan of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and was at the Super Bowl this year, watching from the stands as the
England captain Kane wants to end career as NFL kicker
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri admitted it will be hard to deny Eden Hazard a move to Real Madrid this summer, even if a reported £100 million move is "too cheap" for the Belgian captain. Hazard was in stunning form as the Blues moved up to third in the Premier League, scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over West Ham on Monday.
Stubborn Sarri unruffled as Blues flop again, Football News
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League - Liverpool Training - Melwood, Liverpool, Britain - April 16, 2019 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp during training Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smi
Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season
Antonio Conte (Italian pronunciation: [anˈtɔːnjo ˈkonte]; born 31 July 1969) is an Italian professional football manager and former player. He is the head coach at Serie A club Inter Milan . Playing as a midfielder , Conte began his career at local club Lecce and later became one of the most decorated and influential players in the history
Inter Milan name Antonio Conte as coach | football
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar