SEOUL: Holders China scored twice in the final 10 minutes to hold Japan to a 3-3 draw in an entertaining East Asian Cup match herel 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.
Wang converted from the spot after Japan’s Yuzo Kurihara brought down Yu Dabao.
Japan, without their established European stars, soon started to test China keeper Zeng Cheng.
They equalized in the 33rd minute when Kurihara made amends for giving away the penalty by turning in debutant Masato Kudo’s header from a corner.
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, playing his first match in national colors, deftly flicked in a cross and then his through pass found Kudo, who beat the advancing Zeng.
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 South Korea, who drew 0-0 with Australia in the tournament opener, in their next match on Wednesday.
Chelsea beats Malaysia All Stars
In Kuala Lumpur, Chelsea defeated a Malaysia All Stars team 4-1 on Sunday for its second straight preseason win under new manager Jose Mourinho.
Teenage midfielder Bertrand Traore scored in the 5th minute after converting a cross by Kevin De Bruyne, who later scored with a volley in the 28th minute at Malaysia’s Shah Alam Stadium.
Romelu Lukaku slipped in a low shot before halftime for his second goal on the tour after converting a penalty kick in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Thailand Singha All-Stars on Wednesday.
Victor Moses scored the Blues’ fourth goal in the 88th minute before Malaysian substitute Mohammad Fadhli Shas grabbed a consolation for the hosts.
China rallies for a 3-3 draw with Japan
