LIANG YU GIVES CHINA SLIM WIN OVER TIMOR

“The players gave a better account of themselves than they did two days ago and it has put us in a better position to win a place in the final. I told the players to be more patient and today they found the opportunity to score and win the game,” said Zhang Ning, the chief coach of China.

China, who lost to a late Vietnam goal two days ago, appeared to have shrugged off the effects of their long journey to Solo and clearly displayed better form against Timor Leste today. Despite starting without four regulars, skipper Hu Weiwei, Su Shun and Chen Nan who are injured and Liu Yiming who is suspended, China were in control for most of the match.

The Chinese strikers were on fire in the somewhat cool conditions brought about by a steady drizzle and heavy cloud cover. Luo Tian and Chen Shuo were menacing in front and were making quick runs into their opponents box with relative ease. In the 10th minute, the Luo-Chen connection almost got the opener but Chen’s header from a Luo cross just wheezed past the post.

In the 15th minute, the partnership almost made it but this time the keeper Ramos Maxanches caught the low drive. Two minutes on, the nippy Luo sent a deep cross that the last Timor defender let past him, thinking it was on the way out. But to his dismay, Liang Yu dashed in from the left and blasted the ball in.

The Luo-Chen show had several more misses including in the 39th minute when Ramos blocked a low drive from Chen. Frustration got the better of Luo and he was booked for brash tackle a minute from the break.

The second half was a tame affair with Timor Leste trying hard to chase the game. Their valiant efforts however were unsuccessful as the Chinese wall proved unbreakable.

“China was the better team today and they showed it with their physical presence. The referee was a lot better today and he made several good decisions including the disallowed goal which was really off-side,” added Neylo Isaac, the team manager of Timor.

Teams

China: Wang Boyan (GK), Hu Bowen, Cui Wei (Shen Tianfeng), Zheng Dalun (cpt), Liang Yu, Yang Shiyuan, Chen Shuo (Zheng Fengwei), Luo Tian, Sun Zhengao, Zhou Qiming (Wu Hao), Liao Junjian.
Subs: Xu Jiamin (GK), Wu Hao, Zheng Fengwei, Shen Tianfeng, Sun Ningzhe.
Coach: Zhang Ning
Scorers:
Yellow: Hu Bowen (35th), Luo Tian (44th)
Red:

Timor Leste: Ramos Maxanches (GK), Marcus Gusmao, Olandino De Jesus, Nelson Sing, Jose Carlos Fonseca, Nicolau Fernandes (cpt), Nidio Alves, Rifqi Attamimi, Fidel de Araujo, Olegario de Araujo, Jose Martins Do Rego (Nidio Neto).
Subs: Raimundo Sarmento, Rogerio Seran, Adelino Reis, Nidio Neto, Nataniel Reis, Fagio Pereira, Jose Maria Oliveira, Jorge Victor, Filipe Oliveira.
Coach: Kim Shin Hwan
Scorers:
Yellow:
Red:

REMAINING FIXTURES (All matches at Manahan Stadium, Solo)

Friday
3.30pm: Vietnam vs Timor Leste
6.00pm: Indonesia vs China

Sunday
3.00pm: 3rd-4th Playoff
6.00pm: Final