S. Korea frustrated by brilliance of super Zeng
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E-mail China.org.cn, July 25, 2013
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Zeng Cheng's brilliant performance secured China's draw. |
Thanks to the brilliant and brave performance from goal keeper Zeng Cheng, China held South Korea to a scoreless draw at the East Asian Cup on Wednesday. The draw has moved China to the top of the standings in the four-nation tournament.
South Korea, which drew Australia 0-0 last Saturday, will close out the tournament against Japan on Sunday in Seoul. China's final match will be against Australia, also on Sunday in the capital.
The Koreans were the better side at the Hwaseong Stadium near Seoul Stadium,creating several chances only to be denied by a combination of poor finishing and some fine saves from Zeng Cheng in the Chinese goal.
"Our goalkeeper came up huge in this game. He stopped some tough shots to keep this a 0-0 draw," China's caretaker coach Fu Bo credited his goalkeeper for ensuring the draw.
Zeng produced a wonderful diving save to deny Han Kook-young in the 12th minute and another effort from Yun was tipped wide before Cho Young-cheol saw his left-footed effort fly wide of the target as the half came to a close.
South Korea has failed to score in two straight games and head coach Hong Myung-bo admitted that the inability to convert chances must be addressed quickly.
"On offense, we were slow to make passes from midfield, and that allowed the Chinese defense to keep foiling our chances," the coach said. "We should have been more aggressive."
The hosts continued applying pressure on China in the second half but again it was the performance of the goalkeeper that stood out.
In the 63rd, forward Seo Dong-hyeon had a one-on-one chance deep in the box but his weak shot went directly at Zeng.
Ten minutes later, Zeng made one of the best saves of the tournament to thwart a Yeom Ki-hyun freekick that had gone between the Chinese defensive wall.
Korea soon had another chance to score when Go Mooyul out-jumped his marker in the 82nd minute, but his header went harmlessly over the bar.
Kim Shinwook's powerful header also missed the target after the forward got lose and on to the end of a cross inside the box just before the referee blew the final whistle.
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