Scolari voices Asian ambition

RIO DE JANEIRO - Guangzhou Evergrande manager Luiz Felipe Scolari said he would like to coach an Asian team at a World Cup finals.

Scolari led Brazil to the 2002 World Cup title and was again in charge when the Selecao crashed 7-1 to Germany in the 2014 World Cup semifinal.

"I've already coached the national team twice. I did the best I could and now the national team has new goals, a new direction, a new coach," Scolari said in an interview with the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper on Sunday.

"I have never coached clubs thinking about being a national-team manager.

"Right now I have a good job with Guangzhou. We have already won a title this year and we are going to try to win another one or two. I want to stay in China for at least another two years."

Scolari has won six titles with Guangzhou since joining the Chinese Super League club in June 2015. His contract expires in October, but the 68-year-old is already thinking about another year.

"China has (coach) Marcello Lippi and the team faces a big challenge to qualify for the 2018 World Cup," said Scolari, who also led Portugal to the Euro 2004 final.

"If he manages to get the team right they will fight for a place. And I hope that happens because it would be a big step for Chinese football.

"There is a possibility that I will coach at another World Cup, not with a national team from South America, but from Asia. It could happen in Russia or in 2022."

Scolari believes Chinese soccer is on the rise.

The Super League has attracted a raft of high-profile players in the past year, including Carlos Tevez and Oscar.

"China is taking great steps to develop the game," said Scolari.

"Soccer is now on the school curriculum. Schools are building more pitches with the help of the government. In the future there will be a lot of kids in China who have a bright future in the sport."

Xinhua

(China Daily 03/28/2017 page24)