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U.S. women Americans play 0-0 draw with China in Four Nations Tournament.SHENZHEN, China (Sunday, February 1, 2004) -- The United States and China engaged in a defensive struggle and ended with a 0-0 draw in the Four Nations Tournament before an estimated 5,000 at Shenzhen Stadium today. The defending champion U.S. (1-0-1, 4 points) is in good position to win the tournament again should it defeat Canada (0-2-0, 0) Tuesday in the finale for both nations. China is also 1-0-1 with four points, but the Americans have a plus-3 to plus-1 for China in goal differential, the first tie-breaker. China finishes Tuesday with Sweden (1-1-0, 3), a 3-1 winner over Canada in today's second game. Neither side generated much danger on attack, each limited to seven shots with China putting six on net and the U.S. four. "To play China in China and get a point is a good result for us," U.S. coach April Heinrichs said. "One of the most demanding aspects of this tournament is to play less than 48 after your last game. We play a very high energy, attacking style, and when you are not allowed to fully recover, it's difficult for an American team to play with that same energy two games in a row." Both teams started the same lineup as in opening victories - the U.S. defeated Sweden 3-0 and China edged Canada 2-1. China did not manage a shot until the 34th minute, but when it came, it was dangerous. Jin Xiao Mei sent a well-placed cross from the right wing and Zhang Ying sent a solid header that goalkeeper Briana Scurry scooped up with a dive to the right post. Kristine Lilly and Shannon MacMillan, the two American flank midfielders in a 4-5-1 formation, accounted for most of the danger in the first half, taking all five of the U.S. shots before the break. In the 16th minute, Lilly took off on long dribbling run into the left side of penalty box, but didn't get enough on her shot and it rolled to Chinese keeper Xiao Zhen. In the 43rd minute, Lilly got loose again down the left side and hit a spinning cross that MacMillan volleyed on the first touch, but the ball skipped across the face of the goal and over the end line In final minute of first half, right back Christie Rampone (nee Pearce) worked behind the defense on right side, but her cross didn't find a teammate and was cleared. "While we won and we were pleased about the Sweden game, we didn't feel like we defended particularly well or were that organized," Heinrichs said. "Our improvement in just one game on the defending aspect of our system was remarkable, so I'm really pleased for our players that we defended better today." China found a better rhythm after the 60th minute and created some chances. Ren Liping drove into the penalty area, but shot weakly at Scurry. Later in the half, Qu Feifei hit a knuckler from 20 yards, but Scurry easily handled it. None of Scurry's six saves were overly difficult. "Our spacing was very good and we neutralized them well," Scurry said. "They got some good chances when they started launching some balls, but that's hard for any defense. Our defense kept them pretty much under control the whole game." The U.S. took just two shots in the second half, neither dangerous. "I'm a big believer that a 0-0 game can be a great game," Heinrichs said. "We had two teams experimenting (with new players), knowing the importance of not giving away one goal and two teams playing in the month of January after coming off a break. It's the preseason for us and it's very difficult to score goals in the early part of the year." The Americans had some tense moments at the end of the match. In the 86th minute, Zhang popped free for a moment behind the U.S. defense, but Joy Fawcett recovered to poke the ball away. China had its best chance one minute later as Zhang crossed to Ji Ting at the far post. She headed the ball on frame, but Scurry ran it down and smothered it at the right post. "Late in the game, China had a couple of chances were we got a little exposed at the back," Heinrichs said. "But Joy stepped up and won some one-on-one confrontations, provided the leadership at the back and provided cover for all her teammates. You can make case that Joy was our most valuable player today." In the second match, captain Malin Mostrom and star forward Victoria Svensson each scored on well-struck shots from outside the penalty area in the first half, while Therese Sjogran added the third goal on a breakaway in the second half in Sweden's decision over Canada. Christine Sinclair, a standout for University of Portland, scored later for Canada after Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl dropped a ball at her feet. United States 0, China 0 Lineups: China - Xiao Zhen, Jin Xiao Mei, Li Jie, Fan Yunjie, Ren Liping, Liu Hua Na (Bi Yan 60), Qu Feifei, Zhang Ying, Zhang Ouying (Ji Ting 60), Teng Wei, Bai Lili (Han Duan 70). United States - Briana Scurry; Kate Markgraf, Joy Fawcett, Cat Reddick, Christie Rampone (Heather Mitts 57), Shannon Boxx (Leslie Osborne, 77), Julie Foudy, Lindsay Tarpley (Angela Hucles, 68), Kristine Lilly, Shannon MacMillan (Heather O'Reilly, 64), Abby Wambach (Tiffany Roberts 55). Scoring: none. Shots: China 7, United States 7. Shots on goal: China 6, United States 4. Saves: China 4, United States 6 Corner kicks: China 1, United States 4. Fouls: China 13, United States 5. Offside: China 1, United States 4. Yellow card cautions: China - Ren 68, Fan 70. Referee: Jenny Palmqvist (Sweden). Referee assistants: Liu Hongjuan (China), Fu Hongjue (China). Attendance: 5,000 (estimated) at Shenzhen (China) Stadium. Weather: Warm, overcast, breezy, 64 degrees. |
