BEIJING, May 12 (Xinhua)-- China will play the Philippines in an international friendly in Guangzhou next month ahead of their crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier against Syria, the Chinese Football Association said.
Marcello Lippi's team are scheduled to assemble in Guangzhou in June before hosting the Philippines at the Tianhe Stadium on June 8. They will then fly to Malacca, Malaysia, for their World Cup qualifying match with Syria on June 13.
"Guangzhou's climate is similar to that in Malaysia. We hope to get acclimated to the hot weather by training in Guangzhou," Massimiliano Maddaloni, the assistant coach of the Chinese team.
"Moreover, the coaching staff have previously lived in Guangzhou, so we are familiar with everything there. We hope the fans will come to cheer for us," added the Italian, who once worked alongside Lippi at the Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande.
Iran, Asia's top-ranked team, maintain a four-point lead from South Korea at the top of Group A in the World Cup Asian zone qualifier, while China are second from bottom with only three games to go.
China now have to win all of their remaining games against Syria, Uzbekistan and Qatar to keep alive their hopes of reaching next year's tournament in Russia.
