China tie Portugal 3-3 before penalty shoot-out in Algarve Cup

China were held 3-3 by Portugal in 90 minutes here on Wednesday in their placing match for the 11th and 12th positions at the Algarve Cup.

According to the regulations of the women's soccer invitational tournament, there's no extra time play after a 90-minute draw in knockout stage and the game goes directly into penalty shoot-out.

Substitute Gu Yasha could have sealed the victory for China in the 70th minute after a solo run over 25 meters and beat the Portuguese goalkeeper Neide Simoes.

Singapore referee Abirami Naidu, however, awarded the hosts a penalty and Dolores Silva kicked it in, though no one stopped the game and it's China's Ren Guixin who's tackled down in the box.

In the very first minute of the game, China, who finished on bottom of Group A after tying Brazil goaless but losing 2-0 to Germany and 3-0 to Sweden, opened scoring through defender Wang Shanshan who beat Portugal's defence to no response.

Wang Shanshan headed in the second in 26 minutes for the world No. 13, before the hosts pulled a score back with Filipa Rodrigues easily tabbing in a swirling right corner kick by Ines Silva just one minute later.

The hosts again impressed local audience with their placement kick at 37, when Disburg striker Laura Luis received a distance pass from the left and converted the free kick into an equalizing goal.

China could have regained the lead before the break after a nice group effort in front of the Portuguese goalmouth created a chance for Li Dongna. The defender, however, kicked the ball just a little higher over the bar in 41 minutes.

With 11 minutes to go, Gu narrowly missed her chance of adding another goal as her shoot went just wide from the far post. Endite