China's Olympic soccer team managed a goalless draw with the
Under 23 side of the United States at an international friendly in
Changsha, Hunan Province on Thursday.
Chinese striker Zhu Ting
regrets missing a close-range opportunity ahead of the final
whistle in the game between the Olympic squads of China and the US
on Thursday, December 13, 2007, which ends with a goalless draw.
[Photo: sina.com]
The game started with high tempo, both sides chose an open
style. China took the upper hand in the first 30 minutes, launching
sharp attacks on the flanks.
Playmaker Zhou Haibin provided several great long deep passes to
carve open the American defense.
The hosts' best chance came in the 25th minute, but striker Zhu
Ting's header following midfielder Wang Yongpo's wicked right flank
cross rattled the crossbar.
The Americans rallied at the rest of the first half with their
advantage in accurate short passes, and push their formation
forward.
U.S. dominated the second half with patient buildups. Fullback
Maurice Edu's 49th minute header after Stuart Holden's corner flew
over the bar.
Forward Josmer Altidore was a little bit unlucky when he found
his diagonal shot hit the far post.
China boss Ratomir Dujkovic brought on several offensive players
to add the attacking power. Zhu Ting missed a clear chance in the
injury time, when his low shot inside the box went wide of the near
post.
The two teams will play their second warm-up on Dec. 16 in
Guangzhou.
(Xinhua News Agency December 14, 2007)
