YONGCHUAN, China, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- China rallied back twice to beat Mexico 3-2 in the second-round of the International Women's Soccer Four-nation Tournament in Yongchuan, Chongqing, China on Saturday.
A low shot from Xiao Yuyi, and double freekick shots from Zhang Rui and Wang Shuang, helped China level the score twice and seal their first victory of the tournament.
China, coached by Frenchman Bruno Bini, tried different combination of players in the starting lineup as they prepared for the Asian Cup next year.
Against the heavy rain, both sides were difficult in controlling the ball. Less than one minute into the game, Ariana Calderon picked up a left-side long pass to beat the substitute keeper Zhu Yu with a low shot, gifting the visitors a 1-0 dream start.
China, ranked 13 places higher than Mexico, controlled the pitch with fluid passes and patient build-up from two flanks, levelling the score at the half hour mark.
Wang Shuang delivered a through low pass to find Xiao Yuyi unmarked in the area. Xiao cooly struck the ball to the far corner, cheering up the 12,500 fans mostly dressed with rain coats in a chilly evening at Yongchuan Sports Center.
Despite a bunch of clear chances later on, China failed to overtake the lead as both Wang Shanshan and Xiao Yuyi squandered their one-to-one opportunities in the area before the half break.
Mexico was contented with counter-attacks, and went ahead again in the 54th minute when Cristina Ferral slammed a long-range shot with the ball striking the bar and rebounding into the net.
Zhang Rui, the playmaker in China's central midfield, capitalized on a free kick in front of the central area to help the hosts level the score for the second time with 20 minutes left.
Five minutes later, Wang Shuang struck an in-ward freekick from the left side to ensure China lead 3-2 for good as the keeper Cecilia Santiago lost balance and stumbled behind the goal line with the ball in her hands.
China, defeated 2-1 by DPR Korea in the first round, will play against Brazil for its last match two days later.
