Chinese Olympic team lost to Jamaica
5-4 on penalties in the Lunar New Year Cup final after a goalless 120
minutes on Wednesday. [sohu.com]
|
Jamaica's Olympic team beat
their Chinese counterparts 5-4 on penalties to lift the Lunar New Year Cup after
a goalless 120 minutes in the final on Wednesday.
Goalkeeper Allen Whittaker was the hero, saving two spot-kicks as former
China coach Bora Milutinovic masterminded another surprise victory in the
international friendly tournament.
Milutinovic became the first coach to win the tournament for a second time
having been successful with Nigeria in 1998.
The 62-year-old Serbian, who has taken Mexico, United States, Costa Rica and
Nigeria to the second round of the FIFA World Cup, was delighted with the U-23
team's success.
"I'm so happy for the Jamaican team. The whole of Jamaica can celebrate this
win," he said.
"The Jamaicans really tried their best and I am so happy for many of the
players who have never played abroad before. It was important to win this
tournament."
In a lacklustre final which produced few bright moments, China had the better
game and looked more dangerous in attack, but failed to find the back of the net
against a stubborn Jamaican defence.
Jamaica started the penalty shootout poorly when Nicholy Finlayson missed his
effort, but his team-mates buried their next five kicks.
Chinese Olympic team lost to Jamaica
5-4 on penalties in the Lunar New Year Cup final after a goalless 120
minutes on Wednesday. [sohu.com]
|
China's Dai Qinhua and Wan
Houliang both had their spot-kicks saved by Whittaker before Donovan Davis
tapped in to start the Jamaican celebrations.
China coach Ratomir Dujkovic was disappointed but hoped his team, vilified
over the notorious brawl which overshadowed a visit to England this month, will
have more luck at next year's Beijing Olympics.
"We have to get this behind us and look forward to the future. Hopefully we
will get more luck. Luck played a major part tonight," said Dujkovic, who is
also a Serb.
China's best chance fell in the 61st minute when striker Jiang Chen darted
into the box and struck a post during an excellent spell. Two minutes later,
Jamaica 'keeper Whittaker produced an excellent save to keep out Li Wei's
powerful freekick.
The Chinese tried hard to break the deadlock during extra-time but Jamaica's
defence refused to buckle.
China fielded the same starting line-up which comprehensively defeated
Australia's under-23s 2-0 on Sunday.
Earlier, Australia also needed penalties to overcome Hong Kong in the match
for third place.
The Olyroos led the hosts 2-0 through Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite before
conceding to Festus Baise and a Keith Gumbs penalty, but made amends by scoring
all five penalties.