China loses to Serbia in international football friendly

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Serbia defeated China 2-0 in an international football friendly match in southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on Friday.

Serbia has qualified for the 2018 World Cup with China coming up short in their bid to reach Russia 2018. After failing to earn a spot, they have switched their attention to next month’s East Asian Football Championship.

Aleksandar Mitrovic and Gao Lin in action. /VCG Photo

Serbia rested many of its starters such as Manchester United's Nemanja Matic but still proved too strong for China to contain as the Europeans.

The visitors had the lion’s share of possession and went in front on 20th minute though Adem Ljajic.

Both sides played open attacking football after the break. China’s Wu Lei and Gao Lin tried to get China back on level terms but a series of missed opportunities kept the Serbs in the lead.

Branislav Ivanovic in action against Wu Hao. /VCG Photo

Aleksandar Mitrovic then doubled the advantage with 21 minutes left thanks to a header.

Next up for coach Marcello Lippi's Chinese team is Columbia in southwestern Chongqing on Tuesday.