Sports
22:39, 16-Oct-2018
China men's football team earn long awaited victory in a friendly match against Syria
Updated
22:10, 19-Oct-2018
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After 136 days, China men's national football team finally found the net again in their 2-0 win against Syria with goals that came from Gao Lin's 20th-minute strike and Wu Lei's 67th-minute penalty.
Marcello Lippi's men proved their ability at Nanjing Olympic Sports Center on Tuesday in front of over 22,000 spectators in the second of two recent international friendlies set up to prepare for the Asian Cup.
In the qualification phase of 2018 FIFA World Cup, Syria defeated China 1-0 in Xi'an and drew 2-2 in Malacca, Malaysia – the home field for the Syrian team due to dangerous conditions within the country.
Wu Lei of China and Omar Al Somah of Syria battle for ball during the friendly match between China and Syria at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Center, Nanjing, China, October 16, 2018. /VCG Photo
Wu Lei of China and Omar Al Somah of Syria battle for ball during the friendly match between China and Syria at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Center, Nanjing, China, October 16, 2018. /VCG Photo
The last time that China won an international match was a 2-0 win in a friendly away game against Thailand on June 2, in which Wu Lei, the current top goal scorer in the CSL, made a brace.
After the end of the 2018 CSL season in the middle of November, China's national team will call up players again to prepare for the AFC Asian Cup in 2019, which will begin on January 5.
(Cover: Striker Gao Lin of China /VCG Photo)