Wu Lei (M) of China competes during their international football friendly against Malaysia in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province on Sept. 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing)
CHENGDU, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Lin Liangming secured a 1-1 draw for China's men's football team against Malaysia in an international friendly here on Saturday.
"Honestly we didn't deserve to win tonight," admitted China's head coach Aleksandar Jankovic. "The fans supported us throughout the whole game, and I felt sorry that we disappointed them."
Despite Malaysia's No. 136 position in the FIFA rankings, they stunned the 80th-ranked home side in the 11th minute. Faisal Halim, capitalizing on a through pass from Akhyar Rashid, cut into the penalty area from the right and unleashed a powerful shot past Chinese goalkeeper Yan Junling.
In front of over 26,000 supporters, Lin equalized for China in the 36th minute. The Dalian Pro forward took advantage of a cleared left-wing free-kick, firing from distance to find the net.
Wu Xi (R) of China competes during the match. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing)
Both teams had opportunities in the second half, but neither could convert. China nearly secured a win in the 89th minute, but Xu Xin's curling shot from the penalty area hit the post.
"It was a very difficult game for us. We played a very bad first half in terms of organization, balance, energy level and emotion control. We were lucky that we didn't concede the second and third goal," Jankovic commented with evident dissatisfaction.
"We made some changes in the second half and created some chances. However, even if Xu's shot went in and we won the game, it was still a bad game for us."
In the 79th minute, Li Shuai suffered a head injury and was taken off the pitch by ambulance. The Chinese team's medical staff later confirmed that the defender had a mild concussion.
China will face Syria next Tuesday, which Jankovic sees as an opportunity for redemption. "The good thing is that three days later we have a game to prove ourselves. We need to correct the problems and win for our fans," he said. ■
