Two first-half goals from Han Peng set China on their way to a
3-1 win against Asian Cup rivals Uzbekistan in a friendly in Macau
on Tuesday.
A second half own goal made it a comfortable victory over the
Uzbeks, who they will meet again in the group stage of the
continental tournament in July.
Han opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Manchester
United reserve Dong Fangzhuo's cross from the left found the
Shandong Luneng striker unmarked eight yards out and he stuck his
leg out to guide the ball into the net.
China continued to have the better of the game with Dong and Mao
Jianqing finding space on the flanks.
Four minutes from the break, Mao whipped in a cross from the
right and Han doubled the lead with his head, the ball adjudged to
have crossed the line before the Uzbekistan goalkeeper grabbed
it.
Mao was behind the third goal in the 65th minute too, his shot
coming off the post into the path of Botir Karaev, who watched
helplessly as it bounced off him and into the net.
Vladimir Shishelov got a consolation for the visitors 11 minutes
later when he beat the Chinese defense to a through ball and poked
it past goalkeeper Li Leilei.
The victory was particularly pleasing to China coach Zhu
Guanghu, who was again lambasted in the media after his team were
beaten 2-0 by Asian newcomers Australia in Guangzhou at the
weekend.
"The match displayed that China is able to defeat any Asian
giants," he told the Xinhua news agency.
China were losing finalists at the last Asian Cup and have been
drawn with Iran and Malaysia as well as Uzbekistan in the group
stage of the July 7-29 tournament.
(China Daily via Reuters March 28, 2007)