China lost their World Cup qualifying opener to tournament
favorites New Zealand 4-1 Wednesday night in Changzhou of eastern
Jiangsu province.
New Zealand began their tournament in fine style by scoring four
goals in the opening half against hosts China.
Three goals in eight minutes leading into halftime did the
damage for New Zealand, with Philip Burrows netting twice in the
half, the first courtesy of a piece of individual magic in which he
dragged around the goalkeeper before netting one handed from a
tight angle.
However, China did not give up. Liu Xiantang scored one goal for
the hosts in the second half.
In other matches, favorites Pakistan and England have both won
their respective matches without much difficulty, France wrestled
co-favorites South Korea to a draw.
(Xinhua News Agency?April 13, 2006)
