Lippi says 'ciao' after Dubai debacle

Italian resigns as head coach for second time after Syria loss leaves China's World Cup hopes hanging by a thread

This time, Marcello Lippi's resignation was no surprise at all.

After a performance bereft of fighting spirt, guile, direction and organization, Team China slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Syria in Dubai to deal its World Cup qualification hopes a major blow and send Lippi angrily heading for the exit door.