China's chance of qualifying for the 2004 Olympics was seriously dented when its eleven were held to a 1-1 tie by Malaysia in the Asian zone Group A Olympic soccer qualifier at Wuhan Sports Center Saturday night. 
 
China came out strong in the first half as midfielder Xu Liang scored the opener with a header in the 20th minute from a corner kick off Sun Xiang.

In a rainy and cold night, the hosts squandered at least three golden opportunities before the Malaysians celebrated their equaliser through captain Akmal Rizal Rakhli in the 85th minute in a clean and perfect counter-attack.

"I am satisfied with the result," said Malaysia's head coach Allan Harris, "I think China played a very good first half, and our guys also played a very good game, especially in the second half and I am satisfied with their performance."

"They perhaps overlooked us a little bit," said Harris. "Before the match some people even expected China would beat us by 5-0 or 6-0."

The hosts were supposed to double the lead 22 minutes after the half break when forward Cao Ming's drive hit the post and rebounded to a Malaysian defender.

In the first half, forward Yan Song failed to convert an excellent cross from midfielder Yu Tao and five minutes later forward Cao Ming's header was saved by Malaysian goalkeeper Mohamad Mustafa.

In the last minutes, the Malaysians survived a string of bombs from the hosts to hold on for the 1-1 tie.

China is now locked at one point apiece with Malaysia at the bottom of Group A, while South Korea leads the group on six points, with the group winner only qualifying for the Olympic Games.

"I have broken the trust placed in me, dashed the hopes of the fans across China," said Chinese head coach Shen Xiangfu.  "It was especially regrettable as many of those fans had braved the rain to show us the support."

"I can only offer a sincere apology.

"As for the result, we are in a very difficult position. Our aspirations are looking bleak but that is life. We must fight on and go through the difficulties," added Shen. 

China will play Iran next Saturday.

(Xinhua News Agency March 21, 2004)