Fabio Cannavaro aims to defy critics as China Cup looms

It came as something of a thunderbolt when Fabio Cannavaro, the current Guangzhou Evergrande coach, got catapulted into the Chinese national team job as there are still unanswered questions over whether the former World Cup-winning captain will lead Team Dragon on a temporary or permanent basis.

However, it was an appointment that had looked likely for months following the departure of Cannavaro's mentor Marcello Lippi in January. The 71-year-old Lippi, who still serves as a consultant for China, has never hidden his affinity and appreciation for Cannavaro despite the former defender's unremarkable spell at the Chinese Super League (CSL).

The decision to turn to Cannavaro was widely questioned and even mocked. This was a coach who had just failed spectacularly at his doomed attempt to bring a record eighth league title to Evergrande.

Cannavaro did orchestrate Tianjin Quanjian's promotion to the CSL in 2016 and guided them to an impressive third the following season, but he is widely viewed in China as an underachiever in soccer management considering the fact that he has always been blessed with indulgent club owners who were willing to invest a large amount of money in the transfer window but has consistently failed to live up to lofty expectations.

For all the outcry and hoopla surrounding his new tenure, Cannavaro was refreshingly candid when talking about the huge pressure, honor, and responsibility that come with taking charge of China, claiming his critics are not qualified to pass judgment.

"Coaching China is a huge honor and an enormous responsibility for me. I'm really passionate about the new job, " said the 45-year-old ahead of the China Cup semi-final clash with Thailand on Thursday.

"A lot of people said I am too young and inexperienced, but I had a 15-year career with the Italian national team."

"I have played six finals on the world stage with Italy and won four of them. I knew far more about major international tournaments than those who have criticized me," he added.

It would not surprise many that Cannavaro was less forthright when being quizzed on his club role.

"I can tell you without a doubt that I am still the head coach of Guangzhou Evergrande. But during the China Cup campaign, I have nothing to do with my club because I am the head coach of China."

The China Cup is considered an audition for Cannavaro, but he insisted his team's performance at the cup will have no bearing on whether he will be given the China job on a permanent basis.

"These two matches will not decide whether I will continue to coach China or not. I have nothing to demonstrate at the current stage and I cannot change much during just four or five days with the national team," he said.

"The result is not so important because I will not be assessed and evaluated by it; otherwise, I will call up [Espanyol striker] Wu Lei, Gao Lin, Yu Hanchao, Li Xuepeng and all the other experienced players."

To his credit, Cannavaro suggested he will pick a young and bold attacking line-up for the Thailand game, with He Chao, Zhang Xiuwei and Wei Shihao featuring alongside Dong Xuesheng.

China are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Thailand, who have won only two of their last five outings.

(CGTN)