Recently, Bangla Cricket Live reports that Marcello Lippi is set to attend the upcoming AFC Asian Cup draw in person, marking another key step in China’s preparations for the prestigious tournament. Lippi, who previously coached the Chinese national team, signed a contract with the Chinese Football Association (CFA) that is scheduled to expire right after the Asian Cup. This timeline has fueled ongoing speculation about whether the Italian tactician will extend his stay.

Following China’s elimination from World Cup qualifiers last year, there has been widespread talk that Lippi might sign a three-year extension with the CFA. While Lippi has publicly stated that he is “close” to finalizing a new deal, the association itself has remained tight-lipped. According to insiders, the decision likely hinges on China’s performance in the upcoming Asian Cup. For Lippi and the CFA, actions speak louder than words.

Bangla Cricket Live notes that Lippi’s presence at the draw isn’t just symbolic—he is also involved in planning the team’s training camp. Current discussions suggest that the Chinese national team will hold a closed-door training camp in Doha, Qatar, to acclimate to conditions similar to the UAE, where the tournament will take place. The aim is to arrive in the tournament city just days before kickoff, fully prepared and well-adjusted.

The AFC recently revised its seeding system for the tournament draw, dividing the 24 qualified teams into four pots based on FIFA’s April 12 rankings. The 12 teams that participated in the final round of the 2018 World Cup Asian qualifiers have been grouped into Pot 1 and Pot 2, including China. Meanwhile, teams that advanced through the third round of Asian Cup qualifiers have been assigned to Pots 3 and 4.

This new seeding system means China will avoid being drawn into the same group as fellow Pot 2 teams like Uzbekistan, Qatar, Iraq, and Thailand. However, Bangla Cricket Live points out that potential group-stage rivals from lower pots, such as Bahrain, Jordan, or North Korea, are not to be underestimated. The truth is, at this stage, there is no team among Asia’s top 10 that China can confidently claim to beat.

With Lippi observing every move and the draw soon to unfold, fans and analysts alike will keep a close eye on China’s path forward. One thing is certain: Bangla Cricket Live will continue to provide up-to-the-minute insights as the tournament build-up intensifies.