Russia 2018 Asian Qualifiers Third Round: China 0-0 Qatar

Despite the lions' share of possession and numerous shots on goal, China could not unlock the Qatari defence in Marcello Lippi's first game in charge.

China now have just two points to show from five games in this final round of qualifying, while Qatar are just one spot ahead in the table with five points.

"Our team have done a good job and I told them so in the dressing room," said Lippi. "They should be satisfied about themselves. What we were short of today was a bit of luck.

"We had known before this match that our hope of qualifying to the World Cup in Russia was a very small one and it will be even more difficult after this game. After today's match, I want to tell my players that they are not inferior to their opponents; we were able to play good football and proved that we were better than Qatar.

"We will do our best as long as we have a theoretical chance of qualifying. We are on the right track and that is what matters. If we keep performing like this, the hope is not dead yet."

Jorge Fossati's men had the first real opportunity of the game after being awarded a corner kick with five minutes on the clock.

The set piece delivery inititally looked to be mishit and appeared to be swinging out of the box, but a late-arriving Ibrahim Majid surprised the defence with a firm header back in.

The ball found Sebastian Soria (pictured below) right in front of the goal, but his backheel attempt was just wide of the goal post as the startled China defenders stood and watched.

Up the other end, Jiang Zhipeng's hard free kick six minutes later was on target as it found its way through the Qatari wall, but it bounced off Saad Al Sheeb's gloves and out for a corner kick.

The hosts were racking up the chances now but were not having much luck as Wu Lei ran on to a ball from Jiang, almost slipping while cutting past his marker before hitting the far post with his shot.

Unfortunately, the flag had gone up due to Zhang Yuning straying offside in the build up to Wu Lei's shot on goal.

Jiang and Zhang then had further chances for China but did not manage to unduly trouble Al Sheeb before Mohamed Musa tested Yan Junling with a strike through a sea of legs just before the half that the goalkeeper was equal too.