|
China salvages 2-2 draw with Sweden in women's soccer tourney
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-02-04 09:55
Substitute Han Duan scored a last-gasp goal to salvage a 2-2 draw for China against Sweden Tuesday at the four-nation women's soccer tournament in Shenzhen, southern China's Guangdong Province.
Chinese defender Liu Huana (13) fights for the ball with Swedenish midfielder during the four-nation women's soccer tournament. [Xinhua] |
The United States won the championship after downing Canada 2-0in the other match played on Tuesday. In earlier rounds, the American girls thrashed Sweden 3-0 and drew 0-0 with China.
China, who edged Canada 2-1 in its opening match, finished runners-up with one victory and two draws. Sweden and Canada placed third and fourth respectively.
The Swedes went into Tuesday's match lively as Sjoegran Theresewent close to scoring in the fifth minute. But her shot was cleared off the line by Chinese defender Wang Kun.
Therese put Sweden 1-0 ahead on the half hour mark when her well-taken shot flew past the stretched arms of goalkeeper Xiao Zhen.
The home side grabbed an equalizer in the 37th minute. Defender Li Jie converted a spot kick after teammate Bai Lili was pushed down in the penalty box.
The 2003 World Cup runners-up continued to dominate in the second half, with Therese a constant threat to the Chinese defense.They took the lead once again in the 85th minute when Oeqvist Josefine capitalized on a defensive blunder and dribbled past Xiao before sending the ball into the net.
China coach Zhang Haitao then brought on Han in the hope of earning a draw. The teenage striker lived up to the expectation asshe fired a powerful shot to the upper left hand of the goal three minutes into the injury time.
|
