Yu Dabao (C Back) of China competes during the men's football match between South Korea and China at the EAFF E-1 football championship in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 9, 2017. The match ended 2-2. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
China drew with South Korea 2-2 in the men's game of the 2017 EAFF E-1 Football Championship on Saturday.
Wei Shihao lifted China to 1-0 lead with a volley only eight minutes into the game, but Kim Shinwook from South Korea tied the score three minutes later.
South Korea almost dominated the rest of the first half and collected their second goal by Lee Jaesung in the 19th minute.
Both sides played more fiercely in the second half, and a header from Yu Dabao in the 76th minute helped China even the score 2-2.
"We strengthened our defense in the second half by changing our formation to 3-5-2 and making a few substitutions. We especially marked South Korea's No. 9 player (Kim Shinwook), who is very tall and whose header was difficult to deny," said China Marcello Lippi after the game.
Lippi pointed out that the Chinese players did better in the second half, but having had a vacation after the Chinese Super League which ended last month, they were not in their best form.
"We lost two goals in the game. It's normal to win or lose a goal. What I regret is that we lost the points so easily," said South Korea coach Shin Taeyong.
He added that some of the players failed to carry out his strategy well in the second half, and their defense also became slower.
The 2017 EAFF E-1 Football Championship is running in Tokyo and Chiba from Dec. 8-16.
Four countries - China, Japan, South Korea and DPR Korea - are competing in the championship.
