GUANGZHOU -- The Chinese U-23 national team, which will take part in the football event at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, edged Cameroon 1-0 at an international friendly on Sunday.

Chinese playmaker Zheng Zhi vies for the ball against a player from Cameroon. [Xinhua]

The hosts' playmaker Zheng Zhi scored the winner on 34 minutes, converting a spot kick earned by himself to give new coach Ratomir Dujkovic a big present for his debut.

"China played a good match. But I am not satisfied with some of the referee's judgements," said Cameroon coach Martin Felix.

"The Olympic team is a new team, and we have ten or twelve players served in European clubs. If they can come, Cameroon would be a better team."

"It's a tough match. Especially in the second half, Cameroon played better. But we are satisfied with the result," said Dujkovic.

"Our players felt tired in the second half. They were not so concentrated and couldn't do what they wanted."

Cameroon took the upper hand in the first half. Striker Christian made a good shot after a fine touch at the edge of the box, but a focused goalkeeper Wang Dalei caught the ball without problem.

Wang Dalei attracted most of the limelight after the interval, denied Christian at least on three one-to-one occasions including fantastic three consecutive timely saves.

Cameroon piled on the pressure and created several scoring chances, but their efforts were in vain after defender Paul Roland was sent off.

The Chinese Olympic team will attend the 2006 Doha Asian Games starting from December 1 with an aim of reaching the semi-finals.