Team China came into the final day of competition at the East Asian Cup with a chance to retain the title as they lined up against Australia.

The Chinese national team came into this tournament with a new coach and a revamped line-up, looking to turn around a string of poor international results. And after two hard-fought draws against Asian powers Japan and hosts South Korea in their first two matches, a win against Australia would put China in pole position for the crown.

If China was going to pull out the Cup win...they would have to beat Australia and hope South Korea knocked off Japan in the late game.

And just five minutes in, China was off on the right foot. Sun Xiang was able to stay onside and he controls beautifully before pulling it back for Yu Dabao, who finished it off with a strike into the bottom corner. Not a lot of power but pinpoint accuracy. Some nice teamwork helping China open up a 1-nil lead.

On the half-hour mark Australia would equalize. Aaron Mooy with an absolute piledriver. The keeper, given no chance there. Mooy, celebrating a great strike.

China though, would continue their attack. A lovely team move with some short sharp passing. But Wu Lei’s strike was saved by the keeper.

China kept on pressing after the break, and their efforts eventually paid off in the 56th. Wu Lei, teasing the defence before crossing. And Yu Dabao’s shot is parried to the path of Sun Ke, who calmly chips in from close range. To make it 2-1. And China restored their one-goal lead.

And sometimes when things are going for you, efforts like this work out. Yang Xu, sent in with the great flick and he sprints clear of the defenders and calmly slots the ball home between the keepers legs to make it 3-1. China in control in the 87th.

A minute later and it was 4. The Aussie defence really slow off the mark. This time it’s Wu who breaks clear and he slots home past the keeper. The Chinese looking unstoppable in the rain and the fans absolutely loving it too poised to take the win, up 4-1.

But a crazy couple of minutes after that saw the team from Down-under score two. However, China held on to the 4-3 victory, and they moved in pole position for the title forced now to wait for the result between the hosts South Korea and Japan in their final match.

Japan slip by South Korea 2-1

China needed South Korea to beat or draw Japan and the title would belong to the new-look Chinese national team.

Japan though, would open the scoring in the 24th minute from Yoichiro Kakitani, the 23-year-old forward, finishing off a super solo run to make it 1-nil.

South Korea would however, tie the score on 32 minutes. Yun Il-Lok worked a give-and-go with Lee Seung-Gi and brilliantly struck the ball into the top right corner. So at this point, things looking good for China.

However, in second half injury time, Japan’s Kakitani would break the hearts of Team China and their fans. His second goal of the match would prove to be the winner...and lifts Japan to the Asia Cup title. China, finishing a very respectable second ahead of South Korea and Australia.

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