The Chinese men's Olympic football squad without head coach Dujkovic extended winning streak in warm-ups with a 1-0 victory over Australia in Changchun on Sunday.
China's line-up featured the senior team's over-age trio, namely forward Han Peng, midfielder Zheng Zhi and defender Li Weifeng, while Australia fielded no over-age players.
The host team controlled the match most of the time and made several threatening attacks on both halves, but their efforts didn't count until the 80th minute, when substitute Zhao Xuri netted in a flick from Yuan Weiwei.
Australia created little pressure on China's back. The "Socceroos" found few ways to rip through China's defense and some of the attacks were ruled offside.
"The players have been under great pressure, but their attitude towards the match was good," said Yin Tiesheng, who replaced the Serbian coach Dujkovic as the executive manager.
"The attacking was smooth today and there were a lot of chances. But our players squandered many of them. This is what we should improve in the practice run for the Olympics."
Despite losing the game, Australian coach Graham Arnold was still satisfied with the team's performance. "Our team traveled two days to get here and only got one training session. I'm very happy with the team's commitment," said the coach.
Australia beat New Zealand in the last friendly. Comparing the two teams, Ron Smith, assistant coach of Australia, said, "China is much stronger (than New Zealand). They have skillful players in the midfield who are good at keeping positions, and their dribbling skills are better."
China has been drawn with Brazil, New Zealand and Belgium in Group C at the men's 16-team Olympic tournament, while Australia has been grouped with defending champion Argentina, Serbia and Cote d'Ivoire.
The friendly was the Chinese U-23 team's first match after its head coach Dujkovic was moved to back seat. The Serbian was absent at the match, heading for Belgium to watch the Belgium-Netherlands friendly.
(Xinhua News Agency July 21, 2008)