Zeng Cheng, the Chinese Olympic team's goalkeeper, was the hero of the day when he saved a penalty to take his country through to the final of the Toulon soccer tournament first time. China saw off African team Cote d'Ivoire with a 5-3 penalty shootout victory after a 0-0 bore draw yesterday.

Before the championship, China's resolute Serbian coach Ratomir Dujkovic had set the bar high saying his team could go all the way to victory.

The final will happen on Saturday between China and hosts France, who breezed past Portugal 1-0 in the semi-final. However, France will have to face China without their captain, sent off for his second yellow card.

China's march to the final is its best performance in the event since first appearing in 1979, topping even the shock third-place 1-0 win over Brazil in 2004.

(China Daily June 8, 2007)