China to host New Zealand in Chongqing friendly on September 27; preview predicts 1-2 win for All Whites
China will meet New Zealand in an international friendly at Chongqing Longxing Football Stadium on September 27, with the preview predicting a 1-2 win for New Zealand.
China, led by Shao Jiayi, arrive off a 3-0 victory over the Maldives in which all goals came in the second half; the preview reports China controlled the match and did not allow many chances. New Zealand, managed by Darren Bazeley, were held to a 2-2 draw against Palestine in their most recent friendly, having taken an early lead in that game. The preview notes China will have home advantage and that being away from home will be one of New Zealand’s biggest challenges, adding that the All Whites must control the game from the start.
Ziming Wang was the standout performer for China in the 3-0 win over the Maldives, scoring a hat-trick; the preview records him as 30 years old, creating the most chances (5) and taking the joint-most shots (6). The report states Wang will be eager to produce another strong performance for the Dragon Team in Chongqing.
For New Zealand, the preview singles out Chris Wood as a primary attacking option, noting he has 93 appearances and 45 goals for his country and is 34 years old. The preview adds that Wood can be deployed as a sole striker and describes him as a constant threat to opposition defences.
The preview lists the selected players expected to take part: China: Liu (GK); Gao, Han, Li, Liu; Abdusalam, Huang, Yang, Zhong; Wang, Wei. New Zealand: Gray (GK); Ingham, Bindon, Pijnaker, Sutton; Stamenic, Rufer; Rogerson, McCowatt, Just; Wood. It states all of the selected members for both China and New Zealand are all set to be in action.
The preview identifies TVNZ’s Duke Channel and TVNZ+ as the broadcast outlets for New Zealand viewers. For further updates, the preview directs readers to follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and to download the Khel Now Android or iOS app or join its Telegram community.
