Asian Games warm-up: China U23 win 3-2 over Iran

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02:28

As the 2018 Asian Games draws closer, the Chinese Under-23 team scored an emphatic 3-2 victory over the Iranian Under-23 side in Suzhou in east China's Jiangsu Province on Thursday. The friendly gave an opportunity for China’s U23 football coach Massimiliano Maddaloni to take a final look at the preparations of his squad before embarking on their campaign in Jakarta.

He made six changes from the team that beat Malaysia 2-1 last Sunday in their previous encounter with an emphasis on the attack.

Chinese U23 players Zhang Yuan (L) and Zhang Yuning (R) celebrate after scoring a goal against Iran in Suzhou. /VCG Photo

The home side were off to a perfect start as just two minutes after the kick off, Chen Binbin fed Zhang Yuning, who scored his second successive goal to draw first blood for his side.

In the 18th minute, Yao Junsheng doubled the lead for his team from a direct free kick. Iran gradually tried to claw their way back into the game and hit the crossbar in the 31st minute. But only 4 minutes later, the Chinese team added one more goal to their tally with Zhang Yuan making it 3-0 in the first half.

However, the Iranian side continued to push their opponents and eventually pulled one back in the 39th minute. The half-time scoreline was 3-1 in favor of the hosts.

Iranian goalkeeper Amini was taken to hospital in an ambulance after being injured in a collision with his teammate. /VCG Photo

The Iranians reduced the margin to 3-2 in the 52nd minute, thanks to a big howler by the Chinese team. In the 70th minute, the Iranians suffered a massive blow as their goalkeeper Amini was injured in a collision with his teammate and had to be sent to hospital.

Even after suffering that big blow, the depleted visitors created a few scoring opportunities but the home team held on to their lead until the final whistle was blown.

China will set up for the Asian Games slated August 18 to September 2 in Jakarta, Indonesia, and prepare for their group stage matches, with the first set on Aug. 14, against East Timor.