China

Ma's goal save China from loss

By Cruz Fang (www.chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-05-31 10:17

Super substitute Ma Xiaoxu scored in stoppage time as China was locked in a 1-1 draw with North Korea in a women's soccer warm-up friendly in Tianjin, May 30.

Chinese forward Han Duan(L) tries to contral the ball. [Xinhua]

China's bitter winless streak to their Asian rivals has gone on since North Korea scored their first victory on China in 2001.

Ma, who came up in the second half, dribbled past four defenders to find the net at the last minute after North Korea gained an advantage ten minutes before the whistle.

The young talent also scored the only goal to help China beat North Korea at the Asian Youth Championship final in April.

After the match, China coach Ma Liangxing admitted to the press the gap between his team and their rivals.

"Through this match, we see the weak points more clearly," Ma said. "We had some problems in offense. The goal we scored tonight comes from Ma's magnificent individual skills. It was not a team result."

Compared to the manager's humble comments, China captain Pu Wei presented a more positive view.

"Although we failed to win the match, actually we almost lost it, I still believe the time will come soon when we beat them," she said.

Chairman of the Chinese Football Association Xie Yalong accepted the result of a draw, thinking the team's performance was "basically fine, although they may not in top form."