China fights back to hold Japan at East Asian Cup
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E-mail China.org.cn, July 22, 2013
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Wang Yongpo's second penalty pulled China back into the game. |
In a 6-goal thriller, China scored twice in the final 10 minutes to hold Japan in the East Asian Cup opener in Seoul on Sunday.
Goals from Wang Yongpo, his second penalty of the game, and substitute Sun Ke earned China a point in their first game of the four-nation tournament.
The defending champions went head just 5 minutes into the game. Wang Yongpo netted home the penalty after Yu Dabao was brought down by Japan's Yuzo Kurihara in the box.
Japan, without their established European stars, soon started to take control of the game and found the qualizer in the 33rd minute when Kurihara made amends for giving away the penalty by turning in debutant Masato Kudo's header from a corner.
Yoichiro Kakitani gave Alberto Zaccheroni's side a 2-1 lead in the 59th and Masato Kudo widened the lead just two minutes later.
The game took a dramatic twist in the final ten minutes. Wang's second penalty of the match in the 81st minute cut the deficit to one goal before substitute Sun completed the comeback six minutes later by volleying in a cross from close range.
China will take on hosts South Korea, who drew 0-0 with Australia in the tournament opener, in their next match on Wednesday.
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