The game is marred by a series of fouls, with two Chinese and two New Zealand players yellow-carded in the first 30 minutes.

New Zealand defense mainstay Steven Old, who plays in the Australian A-League, was sent off after receiving his second yellow card because of a hand ball in the 39th minute.

Midfielder Simon Elliott's spot kick outside the box before the end of the first half skewed wide, to the relief of Chinese goalkeeper Qiu Shengjiong.

(Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2008)