Rocky road to Qatar: China's WC qualifying timeline

1. May 24, 2019

Marcello Lippi (pictured) is reappointed as Team China's head coach, tasked with leading the squad to victories in the 2022 World Cup Asian qualifiers. The Italian World Cup winner first took charge of Team China in 2016, before leaving the role in January 2019 when his contract expired following a 3-0 defeat to Iran in the AFC Asian Cup.

2. June 7, 2019

Marcello Lippi kicks off his second spell in charge with a friendly match against the Philippines in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. London-born Li Ke (aka Nico Yennaris) becomes the first ever naturalized player to play for the Chinese national team, playing a key role in a 2-0 victory.

3. Sept 10, 2019

Team China opens its 2022 World Cup Asian qualification campaign with a 5-0 away triumph over the Maldives. Brazilborn naturalized forward Ai Kesen (aka Elkeson) caps his China debut with two goals.

4. Oct 15, 2019

Team China's World Cup qualification hopes take a hit in a goalless draw away to the Philippines, dropping Marcello Lippi's men to second place in Group A behind Syria.

5. Nov 14, 2019

A 2-1 defeat to Syria in Dubai delivers another hammer blow to China's hopes of reaching the finals in Qatar. Marcello Lippi curtly announces his departure as head coach for a second time at a brief post-match news conference.

6. Nov 15, 2019

The Chinese Football Association accepts Marcello Lippi's resignation. With only the eight group winners and four best second-place finishers advancing to the final round of Asian zone qualification, China is left with a mountain to climb after the Syria defeat.

7. Jan 2, 2020

Former China international and Everton midfielder Li Tie is installed as Marcello Lippi's replacement. However, shortly after taking the reins, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts the new coach's plans and forces the postponement of the remaining qualifiers.

8. March 21, 2020

Chinese striker Wu Lei tests positive for COVID-19 in Spain, where he plays his club soccer for Espanyol. Wu, the only Chinese international to be infected by the coronavirus, recovers to remain a core player for his country.

9. May 10, 2021

Head coach Li Tie calls up five naturalized players and Spain-based Wu Lei to his squad for the four remaining World Cup qualifiers. The naturalized contingent is comprised of former England youth international Li Ke, England-born defender Jiang Guangtai (aka Tyias Browning) and Brazil-born forwards Ai Kesen, Alan and Fei Nanduo (aka Fernandinho, who subsequently fails to make his Team China debut due to injury).

10. May 30, 2021

Team China resumes its World Cup qualification campaign with a 7-0 victory over Guam in front of 30,000 spectators in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. Brazil-born naturalized star Alan nets twice in his Team China debut.

11. May 31, 2021

Team China loses home advantage when the remaining World Cup qualifiers are relocated from Suzhou to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. The switch is necessitated by COVID-19 cases in the Maldives and Syria squads, who, as a result, are denied entry to China.

12. June 15, 2021

Against the odds, Team China reaches the final round of 2022 World Cup Asian zone qualification thanks to a 3-1 victory over Syria in Sharjah.