Marcello Lippi's first game as China boss ended in a frustrating 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw with Qatar on Tuesday evening.
But Lippi praised his team despite the result hammering another nail into their hopes of reaching the 2018 tournament in Russia.
Recalled captain Zheng Zhi went close to winning the game as China dominated throughout, only for the former Asian Player of the Year to see his shot from outside the area come back off the post in the dying minutes.
"Our team has done a good job and I told them so in the dressing room," Lippi, who replaced Gao Hongbo last month, said.
"They should be satisfied with themselves. What we were short of today was a bit of luck."
The draw means China have yet to pick up their first win of the campaign having lost to Uzbekistan, Syria and South Korea with their two points coming from draws against Iran and Qatar.
As the qualifying campaign hits the halfway point, China are nine points behind group leaders Iran, who lead South Korea by a point. Uzbekistan are third, on nine points.
The top two teams qualify automatically for the World Cup, with the team in third going through a round of playoffs.
"We knew before this match that the hope of qualifying for the World Cup was a very small one and it will be even more difficult after this game," Lippi said.
"After today's match I want to tell my players that they are nothing less than the opponents.
"The team was able to play good football, and proved that we are better than Qatar. We deserved a win. We are on the right track, and that is what matters.
"The team has been able to provide this performance after only 10 days training. I believe that, along the road, there can be expectation -- and if we keep playing like this, the hope is not dead yet."