CHONGQING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- China lost 3-0 to New Zealand in a friendly here on Sunday.
New Zealand took the lead in the fourth minute when Callum McCowatt sent a low cross from the left into the path of Tyler Bindon, who ran into the box and finished first time.
The All Whites doubled the lead in the 29th minute. After collecting a pass from McCowatt, Elijah Just combined with a teammate to break through China's defense before advancing into the penalty area and cutting the ball back. Ben Waine lost his marker and slotted home.
The tempo dropped after the interval as both sides made a series of substitutions, but New Zealand added a third in the 82nd minute.
After an attack down the flank, China blocked the initial cross but failed to clear the danger, allowing Owen Parker-Price to head home from close range.
China head coach Shao Jiayi said his side had to acknowledge the gap in performance between the teams, while adding that China had created several promising opportunities on the counterattack.
"I was very satisfied with the discipline and organization the players showed on the pitch, as well as their never-give-up spirit throughout the game," Shao said.
He said the pace of the game, both in attack and defense, was something his players did not normally experience in the domestic league.
"Through international matches like this, the players can understand that if they want to reach a higher level in the future, they need to work even harder," he said. ■
