Ma Xiaoxu and Yuan Fan scored two goals to give China a 2-1 win over 2005 winners South Korea in the four-nation East Asian soccer championship yesterday.
Both China and South Korea now have one win and one defeat each, after the Chinese lost to Japan and the South Koreans beat Taiwan in their first games.
After a scoreless first half, midfielder Pang Fengyue sent a cross into the area, where forward Ma nodded home to open the scoring in the 51st minute.
PHOTO: AFP
In the 63rd minute, skipper Bi Yan hit a right corner into the area and defender Yuan got her head to the ball, which then deflected off a defender and went between the legs of hapless goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi.
South Korea managed to pull one back thanks to forward Ji So-yun’s direct free-kick from just outside the penalty area in the 85th minute.
“It was a good game,” China coach Shang Ruihua said. “We lost to Japan in our opening game and that changed my players mentally. This win is very important, because some of my players were not in good condition. Overall, we had some ups and downs, but we started very well and the goals were excellent. Hopefully, my team will improve further through this championship.”
The Chinese women, who were third in the previous championship in 2008, got off to a solid start with midfielder You Jia hitting the first shot on goal, but South Korea soon got into their rhythm, with forward Ji repeatedly threatening the Chinese goal. Her shot in the 36th minute was the best in the first half, but the ball hit the bar.
China also had a chance when midfielder Yu Yuan’s shot was saved by the South Korean goalkeeper before the break.
■MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
REUTERS, TOKYO
China stunned holders South Korea 3-0 yesterday to give themselves an excellent chance of winning the four-team tournament.
It was China’s first victory over South Korea since they began playing full internationals in 1978.
Yu Hai headed China in front after just five minutes, before Gao Lin pounced on a defensive mistake to rifle home his side’s second in the 27th minute in rainy Tokyo.
Deng Zhuoxiang made it 3-0 with a clinical finish after dribbling past three defenders on the hour mark as China humbled World Cup-bound South Korea.
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