Thanks to a disputed penalty in closing minutes, China's Olympic football team held the visitors US to a 3-3 tie by a fluke on Sunday at their second friendly match in three days.

 

 

Captain Li Weifeng (L) celebrates Du Zhenyu, who scored twice for China in a friendly game against the US Olympic football team on Sunday, December 16, 2007. [Photo: Xinhua]

 

The two sides had their first clash on Friday in Changsha, but saw a goalless draw after both teams squandered several opportunities.

 

Chinese head coach Ratomir Dujkovic predicted before the match that the Americans would pose real threat after throwing off fatigue they showed in the first game, and that came true.

 

The US side took an early command in the 13th minute with a fierce shot in the box and widened the margin to 3-0 by the half time.

 

China's offensive tuned for the better until the second period after the rivals made great changes in the lineup.

 

Zhu Ting headed home a Yu Lin's cross in the 51st minute to help the home side to get closer. Du Zhenyu, the Player of 2007 in the Chinese Super League, made it 3-2 12 minutes later, beating the US keeper after taking the ball past defenders with his heel.

 

China's equalizer came just two minutes ahead of the final whistle with a penalty converted by Du Zhenyu.

 

(CRI December 17, 2007)