China ended a three-match losing streak with a 2-0 home win over Malaysia in an international friendly on Saturday, thanks to first-half goals from 20-year-old Wang Yudong and Zhang Yuning.
China, coming off friendly losses to New Zealand 3-0, Palestine 5-0, and Tajikistan 1-0, went ahead in the 10th minute when Wang headed in Lin Liangming’s cross. Zhang doubled the lead in the 19th minute, chipping Wang Shangyuan’s long pass over the goalkeeper.
First-half stoppage time saw VAR yellow cards issued to China assistant coach Zhou Ting and Malaysia defender Tan Jun Jin. China held 59 percent possession and six shots (two on target) in the first half, while Malaysia had three off-target attempts.
Coach Shao Jiayi made seven second-half substitutions. Malaysia’s Fergus Tierney had a 77th-minute goal disallowed by VAR for a foul and was sent off in the 90th minute for a second yellow card. Goalkeeper Li Hao made two late saves.
Expressing satisfaction despite player fatigue post-league, 46-year-old Shao warned against over-optimism, noting Malaysia missed nearly 20 players. China faces Bahrain on Tuesday with two days’ recovery.