Chinese player Dai Qinhua (L) fights for
the ball against a Portuguese defender near the side line before
driving a cross in the game at the International U-21 Soccer
Festival in Toulon, France on Friday, June 1, 2007.
[sohu.com]
A second-half goal from rising striker Chen Tao helped Chinese
youth football team secure a 1-1 draw against Portugal at the
International U-21 Soccer Festival in Toulon, France on Friday.
It's the sixth clash between the two sides at the tournament
where China have only clinched one victory over their Portuguese
counterparts. China lost 1-0 to the rivals last year in the 3rd
place play-off.
The Portuguese seized control soon after the game started, but
China, who have improved greatly under the guidance of Serbian
Ratomir Dujkovic, succeeded in denying their rivals any scoring
attempts before the break.
The Portuguese thought they had the lead just minutes into the
second half, but the goal was annulled for offside.
The improving Chinese team showed their quality in counterattack
and a Chen Tao goal put them only one step away from revenging last
year's loss.
Chen Tao burst into the Portuguese box in the 65th minute after
exchanging passes with Zhu Ting. The player, who is well known for
his offensive qualities, then scored from a tight angle after his
first shot was deflected by the Portuguese keeper.
However, the experienced Portuguese hit back with a late
equalizer in the 71st minute of the 80-minute match when Bruno Gama
drove the ball into the far corner of the Chinese goal after
latching on to a cross from the left.
With Ghana and the Netherlands also drawing, all four teams in
Group B are sharing the top spot with one point each.
China's second appearance is on Monday against the Netherlands.
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(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2007)
