New China boss Li Tie vows to change his country's struggling football fortunes

Li Tie, newly-appointed head coach of Chinese National team said on Sunday he will work hard with his team to build up a squad that can fight all kind of battles.

The former China international and Everton midfielder met the press in hotel in Beijing before heading to Guangzhou for the National team training camp.

The CFA (Chinese Football Association) announced Thursday that Li Tie has been appointed as the national team manager, filling the void left by Italian coach Marcello Lippi.

Li said his agreement with CFA at the current stage is good for half a year and he will stay if he and his squad can fulfill the target to advance to the top 12 in 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

42-year-old Li Tie was Lippi's assistant when the Italian took Guangzhou Evergrande to the Chinese Super League and AFC Champions League double in 2013.

Li again joined Lippi's coaching staff when he took over the Chinese national team in 2016.

Li got his first head coaching position at Chinese Super League side Hebei China Fortune in 2016 and then took the reigns at first division side Wuhan Zall in 2017 which he led to the league title the following season.

After Lippi announced his resignation following China's 1-0 loss against Syria in a November World Cup qualifier, Li took over as caretaker coach.

Li's first test in the permanent hot seat will be March's World Cup qualifier at home against the Maldives.

China is currently sitting second in Group A, trailing leaders Syria by eight points in a pool which also features Philippines and Guam.