China draw with Iraq

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-11-16 09:11

Chinese national football team were held by Iraq to a 1-1 draw and advance to next year's Asian Cup finals as Group E runners-up here at the He Long Sports Center on Wednesday.

Zheng Zhi of China fights for the ball with a player of Iraq during the AFC Asian Cup preliminary rounds at the He Long Sports Center in Changsha, capital of south China's Hunan Province.Chinese national football team were held by Iraq to a 1-1 draw.[Xinhua]

Striker Han Peng opened scoring for the hosts five minutes before the break when he poked in left winger Du Zhenyu's pinpoint low cross unerringly inside the box.

Iraq levelled in the 65th minute when substitute striker Alwan Ahmad headed home a fine corner.

China dominated the first half with fierce attacks from the two wings. Du Zhenyu and Wang Dong made several sharp forays at both flanks and fed nice crosses. Hitman Li Jinyu produced two threatening headers before Wang Dong missed a one-to-one drive on 38 minutes.

Li gave a shining solo performance before the break, only to find his acrobatic volley denied by a concentrated Abbas Noor.

Iraq pushed forward in the second half, competed tightly in the midfield with the hosts and got some effect. Midfielder Ali Nashat smashed a thunderbolt from 40 meters, which went past goalkeeper Li Leilei but hit the crossbar.