WUHAN, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The China women's national team lost 2-1 to Russia in the CFA Team China International Women's Football Competition in central Chinese city of Wuhan on Wednesday.
China fielded almost the same line-up as the one that reached the semifinals of the Women's Asian Cup in March, a run that secured qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.
China had more than 60 percent of possession during the opening 45 minutes, earning seven corner kicks and registering six shots, but was unable to convert.
Russia broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when Natalia Mashina struck a volley from the flank. Chinese goalkeeper Pan Hongyan got a hand to the ball, but it deflected off her fingertips, hit the post and bounced into the net.
China responded quickly, as Wang Shuang leveled the score with a powerful long-range strike five minutes later.
In the 87th minute, Azaliya Zalmieva converted Veronika Kuropatkina's corner kick to restore Russia's lead at 2-1. Anna Kozhinikova headed home in stoppage time, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
"The Chinese team played better at the beginning of the game, but we were prepared for this. We improved our game after the first 10 minutes, made more attacks and the game became more equal," said Russian head coach Lury Krasnozhan. "Also, this victory is very important for our team, because we had played several times with the Chinese team, but never won."
"But we are not going to celebrate right now because In several days we will face a second time with Chinese team," Krasnozhan added.
China women's national team coach Ante Milicic noted that the game went pretty much as expected. "It was a tough game in tough conditions. We knew that our opponent is physically strong. I thought we created enough chances to maybe get a result. In the end, disappointed with the two goals that we conceded."
Milicic saw the loss as a good chance for learning. "Sometimes in Asia, we play against some countries where we are dominant. Tonight, they're big girls. They defended well. We had 10 corners, they had four, but it's not so big an advantage for us that it's sometimes in Asia. So, these are the things that we have to learn."
On the starting lineup, Milicic said: "There are a lot of things behind the selections. I wanted to give the players that did well at the Asian Cup a chance in front of their home crowd to play. We'll make changes in the second game, and young players will get an opportunity, but you can't put them in too much too soon."
The match is part of China's fourth national-team training camp this year, which runs from May 18 to June 8 as preparations continue for the 2026 Asian Games and the 2027 Women's World Cup.
The two teams are also scheduled to play a training match behind closed doors on Sunday, providing further opportunities for China's coaching staff to evaluate players and tactics. ■
