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| China holds the US team in a 0-0 draw in
Thursday's opening game of the Algarve Cup women's soccer tournament
in Portugal |
The Chinese women's soccer team is showing signs that she may be on the
path to recovery after a long, frustrating period of losses, holding the
US team in a 0-0 draw in
Thursday's opening game of the Algarve Cup women's soccer tournament in
Portugal.
China's 33-year-old veteran
striker Sun Wen substituted in the second half. The winner of FIFA's Woman
Player of the Century Award was called up to the national team last month
after nearly two years in retirement.
China and the US each played a strong half. While both teams had shots
on framework, the US had a goal nullified for a foul against the goalkeeper.
.
China's coach Ma Liangxing was satisfied with the results against the
US team, who came to pursue their fourth straight title.
"As a young team, my players' fighting spirit is exciting and they are
worthy of praise," Ma said. " There is a big distance between our
opponents and us, but we got lucky today. We have seen progress following
the friendly with Germany."
China beat world champions Germany 1-0 in a pre-tournament friendly
before leaving for Portugal.
China has managed only one victory during their last ten games against
the US.
After being edged out by the US on a penalty shootout in the 1999 World
Cup finals, the Chinese women's team has been down on their luck, most
noticeably in a disgraceful 8-0 defeat by Germany in the 2003 World Cup.
In the next match of Group B, France defeated Denmark
2-1..
(Reuters) | 
Updated: 2006-03-10 11:36
