So Marcello Lippi's goal for the short term is to help China qualify for the 2018 World Cup. But will one of the most successful managers in the sport really be able to rescue the team and lead them to Russia?

After four games in this last stage of Asian qualifiers, China has three losses and one draw, to sit at the bottom of Group A with one point. China needs to get at least 12 points from their six remaining matches to reach third place, and possibly stay alive for a playoff berth. Next up for China is Qatar in three weeks time in Kunming, followed by another home game against South Korea in March. And then more away matches after that.

So, Yan Qiang, what will China gain from Lippi in the near future?