China downs South Africa 3-1 to lift trophy

China's Yu Hai(R2) heads home the first goal.

China's youth team grabbed a rare international soccer title after defeating host South Africa 3-1 to lift the Sesol Nations Cup on January 15.

Such an early victory in this new year will inject some vigor into thedoldrumsof Chinese soccer, which suffered an early exit last year during the group stage of the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.

China, with an unbeaten record in group matches, entered the final after knocking out Mozambique 4-1, while South Africa edged Cote d'Ivoire in apenalty shootoutafter ending the game in a scoreless draw.

China was invited to the eight-team tournament, with the rest of the teams all from Africa. China and South Africa were in the same group.

Midfielder Yu Hai headed home the first goal for China 26 minutes into the game with a free kick from Cui Peng, only to see South Africa level back five minutes later as Chinese defenders failed to block a cross from the left.

China set up its advantage 10 minutes before the final, as midfield Zhang Wenzhao powered in a 14-meter-shot in a counterattack, and enlarged its lead to 3-1 only six minutes later as forward Yang Yu lashed in a Zhang Wenzhao cross.

Goalkeeper Wang Dalei blocked a penalty during the injury time after defender Yang Shanping touched the ball while falling to the ground.

(Xinhua)

doldrums: a period of depression or unhappy listlessness（消沉期）

penalty shootout: （點球決勝負）