Changchun Yatai midfielder Wang Dong ensured China rounded off their AFC Asian Cup preparations with a win as his header secured a 1-0 triumph over Melbourne Victory on Wednesday.
China fielded a strong side at the Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground in Hong Kong, with former Charlton Athletic loanee Zheng Zhi providing the majority of the attacking threat for Zhu Guanghu's side against the A-League outfit, who will play in next seasons AFC Champions League.
Melbourne were without Archie Thompson, who is with the Socceroos squad preparing for the Asian Cup.
Zheng, who has returned to Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng after a spell in the Premier League, provided the cross for Wang to head home after 36 minutes, in a game played over three 30 minute periods to allow Zhu to experiment ahead of the AFC Asian Cup opener against co-hosts Malaysia on July 10 in Kuala Lumpur.
Melbourne edged possession in a scrappy opening 15 minutes, but were unable to capitalise as several teasing crosses from Steve Pantelidis failed to bring an opener.
China captain Zheng found space on the right after 17 minutes, but despite having time to pick his cross, he failed to find the onrushing Han Pen.
The first meaningful effort on goal came seven minutes later as Sun Xiang blazed a free-kick over the bar from long range as China stepped up the pressure after struggling against a physical Melbourne side, who fielded both Kevin Muscat and Joe Keenan.
Just before the end of the first session, Zheng scuffed a shot from the edge of the area into the grateful hands of Michael Theoklitos after Sun Jihai's cross had been headed into his path by Han.
China began the second period strongly, with Zheng providing much of the spark in the attacking third as he played Mao Jianqing into space on the left, but his low near post cross was cut out by a sliding Adrian Leijer.
But from Zheng's resulting corner China took the lead as substitute Wang, who replaced Sun Xiang at the break, surged into the area unmarked and powerfully header under Theoklitos from close range.
Zheng failed to capitalise on a defensive error from Ljubo Milicevic 10 minutes later as the China skipper shot straight at Theoklitos from inside the area after jumping onto the defender's mis-hit clearance.
Zhu rang the changes for the final session with five substitutions at the break, but it was Melbourne who should have equalised with 20 minutes remaining as substitute Matthew Theodore saw two quickfire shots from the edge of the area blocked by the China defence.
Ernie Merrick said: "China are a big strong side, who are good in the air and good at set-pieces. It was an opportunity and an honour for us to play the national team, it was a top class game.
"China are very quick and technically a good team and they make opportunities with quick passing around the box.
"I would expect China to at least finish in the top four at the Asian Cup.
"It was good preparation for us ahead of the season against a well organised team."
To see a selection of match pictures click here.
Melbourne were without Archie Thompson, who is with the Socceroos squad preparing for the Asian Cup.
Zheng, who has returned to Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng after a spell in the Premier League, provided the cross for Wang to head home after 36 minutes, in a game played over three 30 minute periods to allow Zhu to experiment ahead of the AFC Asian Cup opener against co-hosts Malaysia on July 10 in Kuala Lumpur.
Melbourne edged possession in a scrappy opening 15 minutes, but were unable to capitalise as several teasing crosses from Steve Pantelidis failed to bring an opener.
China captain Zheng found space on the right after 17 minutes, but despite having time to pick his cross, he failed to find the onrushing Han Pen.
The first meaningful effort on goal came seven minutes later as Sun Xiang blazed a free-kick over the bar from long range as China stepped up the pressure after struggling against a physical Melbourne side, who fielded both Kevin Muscat and Joe Keenan.
Just before the end of the first session, Zheng scuffed a shot from the edge of the area into the grateful hands of Michael Theoklitos after Sun Jihai's cross had been headed into his path by Han.
China began the second period strongly, with Zheng providing much of the spark in the attacking third as he played Mao Jianqing into space on the left, but his low near post cross was cut out by a sliding Adrian Leijer.
But from Zheng's resulting corner China took the lead as substitute Wang, who replaced Sun Xiang at the break, surged into the area unmarked and powerfully header under Theoklitos from close range.
Zheng failed to capitalise on a defensive error from Ljubo Milicevic 10 minutes later as the China skipper shot straight at Theoklitos from inside the area after jumping onto the defender's mis-hit clearance.
Zhu rang the changes for the final session with five substitutions at the break, but it was Melbourne who should have equalised with 20 minutes remaining as substitute Matthew Theodore saw two quickfire shots from the edge of the area blocked by the China defence.
Ernie Merrick said: "China are a big strong side, who are good in the air and good at set-pieces. It was an opportunity and an honour for us to play the national team, it was a top class game.
"China are very quick and technically a good team and they make opportunities with quick passing around the box.
"I would expect China to at least finish in the top four at the Asian Cup.
"It was good preparation for us ahead of the season against a well organised team."
To see a selection of match pictures click here.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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