China beats Malaysia 2-0 at friendly

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China downed Malaysia 2-0 at an international soccer friendly at the "Water Drop" stadium here on Tuesday.

Zheng Long bent a fast spinning freekick from the edge of the box to break the stalemate in the 43rd minute.

It's the third goal by the wing midfielder in two matches. Zheng came on as a substitute to contribute a brace in China's 6-1 win over Singapore four days earlier.

Striker Yang Xu doubled the advantage on 57 minutes with a looping header following a right flank cross.

The hosts used a second-choice starting lineup, but found it difficult to break through in front of a well-organized Malaysian defence. Before Zheng Long's strike, the hosts seemed to be lackluster except Jiang Ning's 40th minnute shot, which rattled the woodwork.

After the break, China produced more threats than the first half, but wasted several good chances. Malaysia tried to fight back in the counter attack, but the only shot that forced keeper Wang Dalei to a finger-tipped save went high over the crossbar.

The Chinese team is preparing for the upcoming 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. China are competing with Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Indonesia in Group C, and next will play back-to-back games against Indonesia on Oct. 15 and Nov. 15.

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