China left frustrated after Hong Kong draw

Posted Friday, September 04, 2015 by Foxsports.com

China played out a 0-0 draw in their AFC Cup and World Cup qualification match against Hong Kong at the Shenzhen Bao'an Stadium.

The result leaves Hong Kong at the top of the standings in Group C with seven points while China are in second with four points, having played one match less than their rivals on the Thursday.

For the most part, China dominated possession throughout but were frustrated by the Hong Kong defence, who kept nine men behind the ball for the most part.

China captain Zheng Zhi carved open the first goal-scoring opportunity early on the match and hit the post from 25 yards shortly after the start.

Wu Xi was the next Chinese player to trouble Yapp Hung Fai in the HK goal when the midfielder hit a rasping shot from the left flank that went just wide of the left upright on 25 minutes.

Shortly after, the hosts were left wondering how they were still level after Wu Lei's shot was cleared off the line by Festus Baise, before Yu Dabao hit the right upright from 10 yards out.

The vistitors struggled to get out of their own half for most of the match and on 35 minutes JJ Kilma - a sixth minute substitute for Chan Wai Ho - cleared another shot off the line, after which the ball rebounded to Zheng Zhi, whose shot rocketed off the cross-bar.

After the half-time interval, Hong Kong continued to sit deep and Wu Lei was the next to come close to breaking the deadlock with a powerful effort from the edge of the box that forced Yapp to make a lovely save.

That was as close as China came to scoring for the rest of the match, as the resolute HK side - who offered precious little in attack - sat deeper and deeper in the closing moments.