In an exciting match at the under-19 Panda Cup in Chengdu, China and Australia fought to a 1-1 draw on Saturday. The game was filled with early action and showcased the talents of both young teams.
China took the lead in the third minute when Mao Weijie skillfully navigated past two defenders and set up Chen Zeshi, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner from close range. The early goal energized the home crowd and gave China a strong start.
Australia leveled the score in the 23rd minute. Daniel Bennie rose above the defense to head a well-placed corner kick into the net, bringing the score to 1-1. The goal reignited the competitive spirit as both teams searched for a winner.
Despite creating more opportunities in the first half, China couldn’t break through Australia’s solid defense again. In the second half, Australia increased their attacking efforts, leveraging their stamina to pressure the hosts. They thought they had clinched the match with a goal in the 87th minute, but it was ruled offside.
Earlier in the tournament, China showcased their offensive prowess with a 6-0 victory over Mongolia. They are set to face Kyrgyzstan in their final game on November 19.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
