By David Ferguson

At 21:30 pm last night the biggest cheer yet to greet these fledgling Olympics erupted in the Shenyang stadium. A talented Chinese side of skill and verve finally broke through the stubborn resistance of a strong and courageous New Zealand defense with a goal that left both sides able to take some satisfaction from the match.

Dong Fangzhuo of China celebrates after a goal during the Beijing Olympic Games men's football Group C first round match against New Zealand at Shenyang Olympic Stadium in Olympic co-host city Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, Aug. 7, 2008. China and New Zealand played out a 1-1 draw in the match on Thursday.[Xie Huanchi/Xinhua]

There are few circumstances in which a team that is one-down with three minutes left on the clock would not accept an honorable draw, so China should not be disappointed with a share of the spoils. Similarly, although New Zealand will be frustrated at having surrendered their lead so late in the game, the fact is that were reduced to ten men by the dismissal of Steven Old with less than 40 minutes on the clock. To have gone on to take the lead, and then held on to it for so long, represents a more than satisfactory achievement.

Dong Fangzhuo (R) of China celebrates with his teammate after a goal during the Beijing Olympic Games men's football Group C first round match against New Zealand at Shenyang Olympic Stadium in Olympic co-host city Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, Aug. 7, 2008. China and New Zealand played out a 1-1 draw in the match on Thursday.[Xie Huanchi/Xinhua]

China's goal came from the head of Manchester United's Dong Fangzhuo, who had been welcomed onto the park only minutes earlier. Out on the right Chen Tao, who had posed a constant challenge to the Kiwi defense all through the second half, pulled the ball back to midfielder Zheng Zhi. His cross into the box at last found a Chinese forward in some space, and though Dong was more than 12 meters from goal he was able to use the pace on the ball to glance a looping header over the desperately clawing Jacob Spoonley and into the far corner of the net.

China had been battering at the New Zealand lines for most of the previous 90 minutes, and since the 52nd minute it had been one-way traffic. It was at that point that 10-man New Zealand suddenly sprang to life. China had dominated the opening minutes of the second-half, as they had most of the first, but suddenly Chris Killen found space on the right. He ran out of support before he could do any damage, but China failed to heed the warning, and barely a minute later the same player took a long pass on his chest and flicked it forward for the advancing Jeremy Brockie, who silenced the enthusiastic spectators by crashing the ball home.

New Zealand player Steven Old (12#) is sent off the field during the Beijing Olympic Games men's football Group C first round match againgt China at Shenyang Olympic Stadium in Olympic co-host city Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, Aug. 7, 2008. China and New Zealand played out a 1-1 draw in the match on Thursday.[Xie Huanchi/Xinhua]

China responded immediately, throwing wave after wave of attacks at the Kiwis, but clear goalscoring chances were hard to find. They had an arguable case for a penalty in the 70th minute, when a threatening free kick was deflected past the post by the raised hands of one of the New Zealand wall.

Only five minutes later they had what seemed a clear penalty denied when a powerful shot from Jiang Ning was again blocked by upraised hands. To add insult to injury, the deflected ball this time crashed off the crossbar.

The referee ignored both claims, perhaps trying to atone for the 38th minute sending-off of New Zealand defender Steven Old. Old's dismissal was entirely unnecessary, and he will be bitterly disappointed, but it would be harsh to describe it as foolish. Already having been cautioned, he was running out of defense towards a bouncing ball that took a sudden detour which he controlled with an upraised hand. The gesture was more of a reflex than anything else, but it was a clear case of deliberate handball and within the laws of the game Uruguayan referee Vazquez had little choice but to show him red.

This was the most noteworthy incident of a first half that China had dominated. Their best chance came only four minutes into the match when Han Peng headed against the crossbar.

With Belgium unlucky in losing to Brazil in the other group match, both sides can see this as a point won rather than a point lost in a game that provided plenty of entertainment for the spectators. Most of these would have left the stadium last night with a feeling of relief rather than triumph, but there is no doubt that their team is still firmly in the competition, with everything to play for.

(China.org.cn  August 8, 2008)