Li Yi (right), the China's soccer team player, felt disappointed at missing a goal with Costa Rica in a friendly match on Sunday, June 19,2005. (Agencies)

Defender Sun Xiang's late goal gave China a 2-2 draw with Costa Rica in a friendly on Sunday.

Ronald Gomez, who scored the first goal in their 2002 world cup 2-0 opening victory over China, put Costa Rica in the 2-1 lead in the 75th minute with a free kick penetrating China's defense wall.

But their edge lasted only five minutes before Sun Xiang fired in a 20-yard shot after receiving teammate Zheng Zhi's pass near the box.

The 80th minute goal sealed the 2-2 draw and saved the China a possible loss in front of home fans.

It's China's third campaign under newly-appointed manager Zhu Guanghu, but the first one on their own soil. With already two defeats during their European journey in March, Zhu and his players want nothing but a convincing victory to wash out the bitter memory.

"I felt sorry that we couldn't win after the first-half lead. That reflects some young players' lack of experience," Zhu said.

China wasted their first chance at the 16th minute when Li Weifeng and Li Yi, who charged down to the goal line with only one Costa Rica's defender between them, both missed the neat long pass from Zheng Zhi in the right flank .

But Zhu still gave tribute to his players and said they have set up "a new image for Chinese soccer by their performance tonight".

In search of their first win since early exit from the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, the hosts put on offensive stance in a 3-5-2 formation instead of the traditional 4-4-2.

Zheng Zhi, viewed as most talented young player in this team, was shifted to the front from the defense line, where he played under ex-boss Arie Hann.

The hosts drew the first blood in the 28th minute as midfielder Zhang Yaokun, lurking right before the net, slid in a well-placed feed from teammate Sun Xiang after Zhao Junze's tricky corner left Costa Rica's defense in disorder.

Costa Rica, who just arrived here yesterday, were apparently out of pace in the first half. The Central American team could hardly produce real threats after penetrating China's five-men midfield although they pushed hard after 1-0 behind.

Mauricio Solis pulled it even for Costa Rica twelve minutes into the second half after he hit in a head pass from forward Brian Ruiz, who got first touch of Jafet Soto's corner.

"I'm happy about the reaction of my team today. It's very difficult for us in the first half for some reasons besides soccer like the time lag and unacquaintance to the field, " Costa Rica's coach Alexandre Guimaraes said.

Costa Rica, without two top players- Malaga's forward Paulo Cesar Wanchope and Brescia's defender Gilberto Martinez, didn't get the chance to train on the match field after arriving because of heavy rain.

"China played better than us in the first half but we made changes in the second and put more strength into offense. That worked," Guimaraes said.

"The draw is not the result both sides want to see, and I look forward to the next match. I think both sides will play better."

China and Costa Rica will play the second leg in Guangzhou next Wednesday.

Despite the extra spice of revenging their world cup loss, China was playing before the half-empty stands as their under-20 team's gorgeous wins in the undergoing World Youth Championship drew most attention in the soccer-crazy nation.

(Agencies)