Football
Michael Church, Asia correspondent 7y

Zheng Zhi recalled to China squad to face Qatar by Marcello Lippi

Marcello Lippi has recalled veteran Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder Zheng Zhi as the former Italy and Juventus manager named his first squad as the new China national team head coach on Monday.

Lippi, who won the 2006 World Cup with Italy, was appointed as Gao Hongbo's replacement at the helm of the national side last week and his first move has been to recall the 36-year-old former Asian Player of the Year for the World Cup qualifying match against Qatar in Kunming on Nov. 15.

Zheng had been dropped for the back-to-back games against Syria and Uzbekistan, both of which China lost before Gao tendered his resignation having picked up just one point in their opening four matches in the final round of Asia's qualifying tournament for Russia 2018.

The former Charlton Athletic and Celtic midfielder is joined in the squad by six of his Guangzhou Evergrande teammates as Lippi leans heavily on the six-time Chinese Super League champions, who successfully defended their title last week and were previously coached by the Italian.

Lippi has selected Evergrande's Feng Xiaoting, Gao Lin, Huang Bowen, Li Xuepeng, Mei Fang and Zhang Linpeng, all of whom played under the 68-year-old during his successful two-and-a-half year stint with the club.

China squad v Qatar, Nov. 15

Yang Zhi, Yu Dabao, Zhang Chengdong, Zhang Xizhe (all Beijing Guoan), Feng Xiaoting, Gao Lin, Huang Bowen, Li Xuepeng, Mei Fang, Zhang Linpeng, Zheng Zhi (all Guangzhou Evergrande), Jiang Zhipeng (Guangzhou R&F), Li Ang, Wu Xi (both Jiangsu Suning), Hao Junmin, Wang Dalei, Zhao Mingjian (all Shandong Luneng), Cai Huikang, Fu Huan, Wu Lei, Yan Junling, Yu Hai (all Shanghai SIPG), Cao Yunding (Shanghai Shenhua), Sun Ke (Tianjin Quanjian), Zhang Yuning (SBV Vitesse, Netherlands).

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