China came from behind to tie Australia 1-1 on Sunday to keep the unbeaten result at the International Women's Soccer Three-nation Tournament for the host's new head coach Bruno Bini.
Li Dongna's penalty cancelled out Butt Tameka's powerful opener in the first half. The two sides, who were rivals in next year's Asian qualifications for Rio 2016, had to settle for the draw in this friendly after fierce 90 minutes.
The draw after the opening victory over England, also delivered a good start in the new post for Frenchman Bini, who replaced Hao Wei last month to become the 15th head coach of the Chinese women's side and third foreigner for that job.
The host's striker missed several one-to-one chances with Australian keeper Williams Lydia in the area just after nine minutes into the game. Wang Shanshan's first effort hit the near post and then she picked up a through pass in the central area but just shot high above the bar.
The missed chance proved painful for China as the visitors broke the deadlock just from their first shot on target two minutes later. The unmarked Tameka ran to the central area and struck the ball to the net after she was sent free from an inverted-triangle pass from right flank.
Lou Jiahui was fouled down in the area and earned a penalty five minutes before the break. The captain Li Dongna made no error from the spot to equalize for the host.
China, who looked more dangerous with fluent short passes and possession soccer, still got opportunity to overtake the lead three minutes later.
Wang Shuang, Shanshan's partner in the frontline, was sent clear by a penetrating pass from playmaker Tan Ruyin. However, Wang, who scored both in an opening 2-1 victory over England two days ago, failed to extend her tally after a powerful shot was blocked.
Bini, who has steered the French women's team to a fourth finish at the 2011 World Cup as well as the 2012 London Olympic Games, will organize an internal training match for the team on Tuesday. And that is regarded as a good chance to test his new strategy and regular combinations for the Olympic task.
China reached its first quarterfinal of the World Cup in eight years in Canada this summer, but was still reckoned underdog in Asia's qualifications for Rio 2016.
With less than one year to go before the Rio Olympics and the Asian qualifications to start in February, the Frenchman foresaw an uphill battle for China in vying for the two tickets on offer against World Cup runners-up Japan and world No. 9 Australia.
Australia will play against England in the last match of this tournament in Yong Chuan, Chongqing, two days later.
