China's Olympic team ties Cottbus 1-1 at friendly

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-19 15:32

FOSHAN, South China - The Chinese Olympic soccer team drew with a tired Energie Cottbus 1-1 at a warm-up game here on Tuesday.


China's Zhu Ting celebrates his goal during a friendly match against Energie Cottbus in Foshan of South China on Tuesday. [Xinhua] 

Striker Zhu Ting headed in Wang Xiaolong's pinpoint left wing cross in the 76th minute.

The Bundesliga side got the equalizer four minutes before the final whistle when midfielder Ervin Skela smashed a low shot into the far corner following substitute keeper Zhang Sipeng's mistake.

It's the third draw in a row for Ratomir Dujkovic's men in the past six days. Before the game the hosts tied with the American Olympic squad twice.

Benfica forward Yu Dabao wasted a clear chance in the 17th minute, when he drove the ball wide of the near post facing an empty net after defender Tan Wangsong cut back a fine pass from the right side.

Cottbus had their best opportunity against the post two minutes from the break. Midfielder Efstathios Aloneftis missed striker Timo Rost's accurate assist inside the area.

The hosts piled on the pressure in the second half in front of a tired Cottbus squad after the long trip.

Substitute striker Jiang Ning made a diving header to test keeper Tomislav Piplica on 54 minutes, before midfielder Lu Lin curved a fantastic 48-meter-shot, which had already beat an outing Piplica, but was denied by the crossbar.

Cottbus will play the Chinese national team on Dec. 20 in their second match of the tour.

Dujkovic will lead the team to have a training camp in France in early January.



Top Sports News  
Today's Top News  
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours