Santiago Solari (R)
dribbles past a Chinese defender in the game on Tuesday, July 17,
2007.
The Chinese Olympic football team on Tuesday lost 3-0 to Italian
champions Inter Milan in a friendly game, their third match of a
training tour in Italy.
Julio Ricardo Cruz converted a first-half penalty, with Santiago
Solari and Adriano adding to the tally after the breaking to seal
the victory for Inter, who had just kicked off their pre-season
training.
Ratomir Djukovic still fielded an aggressive formation for his
squad, despite the danger of losses to the mighty rivals, and a
talent shortage after core players, including Zhou Haibin and Zhao
Xuri, were lent to the professional team for the Asian Cup
competitions.
Many rookies were granted chances to start, as Roberto Mancini
rotated his lineup. But aces were put on the pitch in the second
half as the home side attempted to extend the gap and tune up their
stars' fitness.
Jiang Chen missed China's best opportunity for a goal in the
81st minute, with his shot, dulled by a rival's tackle, hitting the
bar.
(CRI.cn July 18, 2007)
