Back in 2005, China faced South Korea in the first round of the East Asian quarterfinals. Zhu Guanghu took over from Alihan, who had just stepped down, and took on the responsibility of coaching the national soccer team in this marquee match. Thanks to the stunning performance at the World Youth Championships, the current
national soccer team
The team has absorbed a number of new stars such as Chen Tao, Gao Lin, Feng Xiaoting, Zhao Xu Ri and Artemisia Jun Min, with Chen Tao, Gao Lin and Zhao Xu Ri making their debuts.
Only four minutes into the match, captain Li Weifeng pushed an opponent when he was fighting for a position, which led to the Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura's accidental red-card sentencing of Gao Lin after an exchange of words with the side referee. Facing the furious attack of South Korea, the Chinese team kept the score at 0-0 in the first half.
In the second leg of the match, China was the first team to break the deadlock. Li Weifeng's free kick was accurately delivered to the penalty area, and Sun Xiang jumped up and shot the ball into the goal. However, South Korea equalized shortly after with a free kick, and the attacking momentum intensified. Cao Yang made physical contact with his opponent in the penalty area, and the Japanese referee showed a controversial red card and penalty kick. Captain Li Weifeng got agitated and argued with the referee, resulting in a yellow card. Fortunately, Li Leilei bravely pounced on the penalty kick.
In the penalty shootout, captain Li Weifeng again complained to the referee, and Yuichi Nishimura then showed a second yellow card. At this point, the Chinese team had only eight players left on the field. In the following match.
national soccer team
The defense contracted on all fronts and managed to hold the score in the end, albeit in a slightly ugly field with a possession ratio of nearly 9:1.
In the following two matches, China drew 2:2 with Japan and beat North Korea 2:0 to win the East Asian Cup for the first time.
