Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Nanchang: China continued to build towards the AFC Asian Cup 2015 as they stretched their unbeaten streak to five games with a 1-1 draw against New Zealand on Friday.
However, it could have been more for the Chinese at the Nanchang Bayi Stadium as they were unable to hold on to their lead after allowing the visitors to equalise with only three minutes remaining.
In a keenly-contested first half, it was Alain Perrin’s charges who took the lead two minutes before the break through a stunning strike by captain Zheng Zhi, who pounced on a clearance header just outside the box before sending a fantastic dipping volley past Jacob Gleeson.
Nonetheless, the All Whites came back strongly in the second half and carved out a number of decent chances, and they ultimately forced the draw in the 87th minute when Chris Wood met a Deklan Wynne cross and planted a header into the back of the net.
Still, China continue to enjoy an excellent run of form with their last defeat coming against Mali back in June, and will be looking to put in another strong display next Tuesday when they take on Honduras in Xi’an.
Photo: AFP