体坛英语资讯：China fails to break no-win record jinx against S.Korea_娱乐

体坛英语资讯：China fails to break no-win record jinx against S.Korea

CHONGQING - The men's team of South Korea extended 22-year no defeat streak against China as they beat the host 3-2 at the third East Asian Football Championship (EAFC) on Sunday.

体坛英语资讯：China fails to break no-win record jinx against S.Korea1

China defender Xu Yunlong fights for the ball during China's 3-2 home defeat to the South Korea. [Xinhua]As the defending champion of EAFC, the Chinese team is now in preparation of 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. In early February, they managed to snatch one point from Asian Champion Iraq in the first qualification match. However, Chinese playmaker and captain Zheng Zhi didn't return from Charlton of England Champions League for this tournament.

Though with the absence of many overseas experienced players, South Korean national team is aiming to take back its leading position in East Asian region by winning the third EAFC title with their coach Huh Jung Mao, who took the coaching job after the Dutch coach Pim Verbeek's resigh last year.

As the first EAFC winner, South Korea failed to be crowned for the second time in a row at home in 2005 with disappoiting results: two draws and one loss.

The South Koreans opened the scoring in the 43rd minute when 23-year-old forward Park Chu Young gave the lead for the visitors with a looping header inside the far post from a well-placed cross. The South Korean finished the first half 1-0.

With the strategy adjustment under chief coach Dujkovic and head coach Petrovic, Chinese players seemed to find the rhyme of match and fight back to gain the momentum early in the second half. Chinese leading midfielder Zhou Haibing equalized for the home with a superb long shot after the Korean defenders failed to clear the corner far away in the 47th.