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Algarve Cup: China earn first point, Canada, Spain take 2nd straight wins

Xinhua, March 4, 2017 Adjust font size:

Chinese women's football team collect their first point at 2017 Algarve Cup Friday, drawing with Olympic silver medalists Sweden 0-0, while unstoppable Canada and Spain recorded their respective second straight victory.

"I'm very satisfied with what the team has done. Physically we don't have any advantage in front of our European opponents, so we have to use our technique. Today we did a good job on that," said Chinese head coach Bruno Bini.

Forward Wang Shanshan was put into the starting line-up at the expense of Li Ying, as the team hoped to build a solid start. Yang Li and Tang Jiali's consecutive shots were blocked by Swedish goalie Hilda Carlen in the 20th minute, and the latter made brilliant saves on Wang's two shots.

Sweden striker Lotta Schelin, 33, also had some chances to break the deadlock, only to see her shots denied by Chinese goalkeeper Zhao Lina and the defensive line ahead of her.

Sweden head coach Pia Sundhagev regretted that the result could have been different if they had started better.

"We did not start in a good way. China put much pressure on us, and we gave the ball away too often. Eventually we picked up the rhythm, and in the end we tried to have the winning goal, but we didn't succeed," commented Sundhagev.

Both teams shared the spoils after fruitless 90 minutes, bringing back the memory at the Rio Olympic Games, where China took on a point against Sweden to secure a last eight spot.

"It was totally different from the Rio Olympics as we missed several key players, like Li Dongna, Pang Fengyue and Gu Yasha," said Bruno, adding that he was even more satisfied that the team were able to earn a draw without these key players.

As Australia edged past the Netherlands 3-2 in Friday's other Group C matchup, China have lost their chance to finish atop the group and secure a berth in the final ahead of next Monday's clash with Australia.

"We will not think too much about the group ranking," said Bruno.

Christine Sinclair, who finished the winning goal for Canada in their 2017 Algarve Cup opener, had another to spearhead her team's 2-1 victory over Russia, pocketing Group A's leading position. Denmark dismantled host Portugal 6-0 to sit second, ahead of Russia on goal difference.

Spain surprisingly topped Group B after thrashing three-time winner Norway 3-0. 2011 world champions Japan went back to the winning track as they overshadowed Iceland 2-0.

The 24th edition tournament will curtain down on March 8, with the two best group leaders competing for the title. Endit