Queiroz says Lippi is good for Asia

IRAN coach Carlos Queiroz heaped praise on his China counterpart Marcello Lippi, the Portuguese saying the man who led Italy to the global title in 2006 was good for Asian football.

Lippi took over as China coach to revive their flagging fortunes last October. After drawing his first game in charge against Qatar, the 68-year-old Italian led his side to a 1-0 home win over South Korea.

“Lippi has been everywhere in football, and he’ll make China a stronger and more intelligent team,” Queiroz told South China Morning Post.

After leaving Italy in 2010, Lippi had a successful two-and-a-half-year spell in charge of Chinese powerhouse Guangzhou Evergrande before he was coaxed out of retirement last year. Queiroz is delighted to see the Italian back in the dugout.

“It’s good for Asian football that Lippi is here,” said the former Real Madrid coach.

“The way world football and schedule of international games is organised, it’s difficult for Asian teams to compete with traditionally-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,” said the former Portugal coach.

Queiroz, who has been in charge of Iran for six years and led Team Melli to the 2014 World Cup, believes Iran will continue to improve and remains proud of his achievements so far.

“Since I’ve been here, we’ve more players in Europe than ever before,” said Queiroz. “We’ve also been the No.1 Asian team for four years in the FIFA rankings.”

The top two sides in Asian Group A will advance to the finals in Russia next year while the third-place finishers qualify for a series of play-offs.