China loses to Spanish regional side in friendly
By Fang Xuan (www.chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2005-12-27 10:03

China lost 1-0 to a regional side in Spain in the opening leg of an international friendly tournament Monday evening.

Navarra United is composed of 20 professionals from the northern Spanish Navarra area, with eight of the players coming from Ossasuna, currently in second place in the Primera Liga.

Ossasuna midfielder Inaki Munoz scored the only goal for the hosts on a snowy and slippery pitch 18 minutes into the second half after teammate De Carlos missed a late first half penalty.

China manager Zhu Guanghu summoned up a young team and played two overseas-based players in the starting lineup - Shao Jiayi from 1860 Munich of Bundesliga B and Shi Jun from Young Boys of the Swiss Super League.

China skipper Li Weifeng, who skipped the opening friendly due to a transferring matter, was to arrive in Spain on Monday, while playmaker Zheng Zhi started the game after the Asian Football Confederation greatly reduced his ban to three Asian matches from a harsh half-year worldwide suspension.

China will play Andalucia United on Wednesday evening.