Oman upsets China in Shanghai
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Xinhua, June 20, 2011
China suffered a 1-0 home defeat by Oman in the first leg of the second round of 2012 London Olympic men's soccer Asian qualifiers on Sunday.
Oman playmaker Al Hadhri Farah netted the lone goal in the 4th minute on a counter attack when he smashed home from the edge of the box following a left wing cross.
Hadhri could have scored another on 39 minutes, but his lob shot facing outgoing keeper Wang Dalei was denied by the crossbar.
The hosts had too many mistakes in defence in the first half, and wasted two good chances.
Zhang Linpeng drove a dipping shot over the bar a little bit, before central defender Zheng Zheng fired a shot which was saved by keeper Mahnad Al Zaabi inside the box after a penetrating pass from Zhang Linpeng.
China's Croatian coach Miroslav Blazevic brought on some attacking players after the break, but it could not change the outcome.
China will play away to Oman in the away leg on June 23. The winner of the two-leg series, along with 11 other winning teams, will be split into three groups of four for final qualifying, with the three top sides all gaining automatic entry to the Olympics.
The second-placed teams go into a three-way round robin, with the winner playing off against a side from the African confederation for another ticket to the Games.
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