China, Japan draw 3-3 in East Asian Cup game

China scored twice in the final 10 minutes to hold Japan to a 3-3 draw in an entertaining East Asian Cup match in Seoul on Sunday.

Goals from Wang Yongpo, his second of the game, and substitute Sun Ke earned China a point in their first game of the four-nation tournament.

China, who have failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup finals, took an early lead over the Asian champions with a fifth-minute penalty.

Japan defender Yuzo Kurihara took Yu Dabao down in the box and Wang Yongbo converted the ensuing penalty.

Japan, without their established European stars, soon started to test China keeper Zeng Cheng.

Kurihara atoned for conceding the penalty by turning in debutant Masato Kudo’s header from a corner for an equalizer on 33 minutes for his third international goal.

Coach Alberto Zaccheroni’s men took control of the fast-paced match after the break and struck twice in the space of minutes around the hour mark to go 3-1 up.

Yoichiro Kakitani gave Japan a 2-1 lead in the 59th and Masato Kudo widened the lead two minutes later.

Wang, who also hit the post, brought China back into the match in the 81st minute by converting his second penalty before substitute Sun completed the comeback six minutes later by volleying in a cross from close range.

China will take on hosts Korea, who drew 0-0 with Australia in the tournament opener, in their next match on Wednesday.

Reuters, AP