Dalian, 20 Jun (Xinhua) -- In an international football friendly match held in Dalian on 20 June, the Chinese men's national team defeated the Palestinian team 2-0 and won two consecutive friendly matches.
Chinese coach Jankovic (right) directs on the sidelines of a match on June 20. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Cao Can
The match was played at the Barracuda Bay Professional Football Stadium in Dalian. Compared with the 4-0 win over Myanmar on the 16th, Chinese coach Jankovic made two personnel changes in this game, and Li Lei and Wang Qiuming entered the starting lineup.
Against weaker opponents, China opened with the upper hand, while Palestine tried to threaten by counterattacking defensively. In the 21st minute, China had a good chance to score, but Gao Junyi hit the crossbar with a header from a corner, and Wu Lei's shot was blocked by the Palestinian defender.
On June 20, Wu Lei, a player of the Chinese team, celebrated a goal during the game. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Pan Yulong
In the ongoing offensive, the Chinese team broke the deadlock in the 34th minute. Gao Zhunyi and Lin Liangming played consecutive passes on the left side, Gao Zhunyi inserted a low flat cross in the box, and Wu Lei outflanked an empty goal at the back post.
Palestine, who trailed by a goal, launched a fierce attack in the opening stages of the second half, and the Chinese team was in danger in front of goal. In the 61st minute, Saiyam missed the equaliser with a shot from a small angle inside the box.
On June 20, China's Jiang Guangtai (third from left) scored a shot during a match. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Pan Yulong
However, China stabilized the situation in the 66th minute, Li Lei opened a corner, Axen's header was saved by the goalkeeper, Jiang Guangtai easily added the goal to score his first goal for the national team, helping China seal the 2-0 victory.
The Chinese team completed the international break with two consecutive wins and no goals conceded, and the Chinese team will most likely participate in the draw for the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers on July 27 this year as the second team.