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China's Cao Yang (L) heads the ball during Team China International Football Friendly Match against Germany at Shanghai Stadium in Shanghai, east China, on May 29, 2009. [Xinhua] |
A new Chinese national soccer team stunned European powerhouse Germany with a deserved 1-1 draw at an international friendly at the Shanghai Stadium Friday.
The Chinese Football Association has recently signed a new native coach Gao Hongbo. And the 44-year-old boss used a new starting lineup to hold the Mannschaft after a surprising process.
"China played very good, they have good tactics and their performance surprised me," said Germany head coach Joachim Loew.
"We had a slow play this evening, and the players tried to play faster in the second half. But they wasted several good chances. Anyway we have tried our best. We need time to adjust after the long season."
"I'm very happy to draw with a strong Germany side. Their players made a long trip to Shanghai just several days after a long season and showed high class," said Gao Hongbo.
"Germany quickened their paces in the second half, and put big pressure on us. I need to tell my players how to control the rhythm later."
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China's coach Gao Hongbo directs during Team China International Football Friendly Match against Germany at Shanghai Stadium in Shanghai, east China, on May 29, 2009. [Xinhua] |
The hosts took some advantage facing a strong German side, and took merely five minutes to go ahead with midfielder Haojunmin's zero-angle shot after Zhao Xuri cut a wicked pass to leave him facing a lonely keeper Robert Enke inside the box.
Lukas Podolski levelled for the Mannschaft three minutes later with a fine left-foot low shot following Bastian Schweinsteiger's assist at the edge of the box.
Gao brought on a risky starting eleven, leaving major players like former Charlton Athletic player Zheng Zhi, PSV Eindhoven's Zhou Haibin and tall striker Han Peng on the bench. But the young side showed enough guts and played some fluent football.
After the guests made the equalizer, China gradually took some advantage with more ball possession and threatening mid-range shots.
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Germany's Mario Gomez (front) heads the ball during Team China International Football Friendly Match against China at Shanghai Stadium in Shanghai, east China, on May 29, 2009. [Xinhua] |
Jiang Ning forced Enke to make full-stretched saves on two occasions, before substitute Zhou Haibin's drive from 30 meters was tipped over the crossbar by the busy keeper.
Germany changed their formation from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 in the second half. Debutant Cacau replaced Mario Gomez and pair Podolski in the front line. But the change didn't have obvious effect facing a solid Chinese defence.
Germany's best chance came in the 85th minute, but Podolski's one-on-one shot went just wide of the empty net.
Germany flied to Dubai on Saturday to meet the United Arab Emirates on June 2.
(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2009)
