CHANGSHA, China (Reuters) - China coach Marcello Lippi has sought to bolster player confidence ahead of a do-or-die World Cup qualifying clash with South Korea on Thursday as the Italian attempts to encourage his squad to display more self-belief. Iran travel to Doha to take on 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar (four points), who are in fifth place, with Carlos Queiroz's side aiming to maintain their unbeaten run in the campaign. "Football doesn't believe in history... what happened in the previous game is in the past," he said. "And I think we always play our football, always try to work hard, whether in training or on the pitch. The Japanese are in second, level on 10 points with the Saudis, while Australia occupy third, also on nine points.

Source: The Star March 22, 2017 13:07 UTC