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Coach Marcello Lippi hailed China's fightback on Sunday after they staged a second-half revival to beat Thailand 2-1 and reach the Asian Cup quarter-finals. The giant nation were all at sea as they fell behind to Supachai Jaided's opener but they hit back aftWatch: Lippi joy as China fight back to reach Asia's last eight
Coach Marcello Lippi hailed China's fightback on Sunday after they staged a second-half revival to beat Thailand 2-1 and reach the Asian Cup quarter-finals. The giant nation were all at sea as they fell behind to Supachai Jaided's opener but they hit back after the break through substitute Xiao Zhi and Gao Lin's well-taken penalty. It meant China live to fight another day under Lippi, who is expected to step down after the Asian Cup, while Thailand will know they were beaten by a superior team. «I'm very satisfied with the win. It was not an easy game because the opponent was very tough,» said Lippi, who coached his native Italy to victory at the 2006 World Cup. «We didn't play very well in the first half because we made a few mistakes but I'm very happy with the reaction from my players, especially in the second half where in the end we created many chances. »It was a great performance in the second half, so I'm very happy for the victory and the fact that we got to the quarter-final." In an open start, Theerathon Bunmathan saw a free kick tipped over and Wu Lei had an attempt smothered by Thai goalkeeper Siwarak Tedsungnoen before Thailand went ahead on 31 minutes. From a... Read more