Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Changsa: AFC Asian Cup hopefuls China received a timely boost to their preparations for next January's tournament when they beat Paraguay 2-1 on Tuesday.
Fresh from Friday's 3-0 success over Thailand, China carried the momentum gained from that victory into the clash against the South Americans and duly took the lead after only nine minutes when Guangzhou Evergrande favourite and reigning AFC Player of the Year Zheng Zhi converted a penalty.
The 2004 AFC Asian Cup finalists duly doubled their lead on 18 minutes when midfielder Wu Lei scored to put head coach Alain Perrin’s side well and truly in the driving seat.
Despite a late strike from Paraguay’s Nestor Ortigoza, China held on to record a morale boosting win ahead of their trip Down Under.
At the Asian Cup itself. China will open their Group C campaign in Canberra against Saudi Arabia on January 15, before facing Uzbekistan and DPR Korea.
Photo: AFP