China's Sun Ke (No.14) competes for the ball with Yeom Ki-hun (left) and Hwang Seok-ho of South Korea during their match at the East Asian Cup on Wednesday. Photo: CFP

 

The Chinese national soccer team drew 0-0 with South Korea in the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) East Asian Cup 2013 on Wednesday in Suwon, South Korea.

Both teams also drew in their first games of the tournament.

Chances were at a premium in the first half as Team China's goalkeeper Zeng Cheng, who plays for Guangzhou Evergrande Football Club, put in a busy performance under the watchful gaze of his club manager, Marcello Lippi.

Zeng made two splendid saves to repel Korean long shots in the 13th and 27th minutes before Korean forward Seo Dong-hyeon was shown a yellow card, ­after catching the Evergrande ­goalkeeper in the neck, on the 30th minute.

Fu Bo's side dominated the ball after the half-hour mark but failed to turn that possession into a shot.

China took the second half as an opportunity to blood some of their ­talented youngsters. The 21-year-old Wu Lei ­replaced Wang Yongpo and Zhang Xizhe replaced Sun Ke, who had made the starting lineup for this match after his excellent performance against Japan on Sunday.

The Taegeuk Warriors had a great opportunity with 15 minutes to go when they were awarded a free kick meters outside of the Chinese box following Zheng Zhi's foul. Again it was Zeng who kept the Koreans at bay, turning Yeom Ki-hun's kick effort away with his left hand.

The hosts brought on a second ­striker and tried to exploit China down the flanks. This tactic created a chance for Ko Mu-yeol in the closing stages but the substitute's header went over the bar.

The game remained scoreless despite three minutes of injury time.

When the two teams last met in the East Asian Cup in 2010, China defeated the South Korean team 3-0 in Tokyo.

The Chinese national soccer team will meet Australia on Sunday.

Earlier on Wednesday, China beat South Korea 2-1 in the women's competition.

Global Times