The Chinese women's soccer team is showing signs that she may be on the path to recovery after a long, frustrating period of losses, holding the US team in a 0-0 draw in Thursday's opening game of the Algarve Cup women's soccer tournament in Portugal.

China's 33-year-old veteran striker Sun Wen substituted in the second half. The winner of FIFA's Woman Player of the Century Award was called up to the national team last month after nearly two years in retirement.

China and the US each played a strong half. While both teams had shots on framework, the US had a goal nullified for a foul against the goalkeeper. .

China's coach Ma Liangxing was satisfied with the results against the US team, who came to pursue their fourth straight title.

"As a young team, my players' fighting spirit is exciting and they are worthy of praise," Ma said. " There is a big distance between our opponents and us, but we got lucky today. We have seen progress following the friendly with Germany."

China beat world champions Germany 1-0 in a pre-tournament friendly before leaving for Portugal.

China has managed only one victory during their last ten games against the US.

After being edged out by the US on a penalty shootout in the 1999 World Cup finals, the Chinese women's team has been down on their luck, most noticeably in a disgraceful 8-0 defeat by Germany in the 2003 World Cup.

In the next match of Group B, France defeated Denmark 2-1..

(China Daily March 10, 2006)