China PR recorded an historic victory. On the 10th, Day 3 of the East Asian Football Championships 2010 Finals Competition was held with 2008 Finals Competition champions Korea Rep. clashing with 2005 Finals Competition champions China PR. China PR, who since their first match in 1978 (according to FIFA) have never won with a record of 9 wins, 16 losses beat Korea Rep. 3-0 to stand in first place at this tournament and have re-written Chinese football history.

Unbeaten winners at last year’s FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers and unbeaten in Asia for almost 2 and a half years since July 2007 Korea Rep. were eaten alive by newly rejuvenated China PR. The opening goal was in the 5th minute. China PR FW QU Bo took on a DF down the right wing and the rebound came back to him to cross. MF YU Hai ran on to the cross at the far post and got to it in front of the DF to head into the goal. Korea Rep. had all of a sudden fallen behind and in the 15th minute received a further blow when DF LEE Jung Soo was taken off with an injury. They had attempts on goal from FW LEE Keun Ho’s header and right footed shot but China PR’s defense was confident having drawn their first match with FIFA World Cup participants Japan.

China PR head coach GAO Hongbo said “Korea Rep. use a lot of square passes and shorts passes. If you can reduce their speed then you can control them. So we worked on reducing their speed.” Which described why China PR pressured the Korea Rep. players on attack and were successful in slowing their attacks. Also if they won the ball mid-fielders MF DENG Zhuoxiang, YU Hai and MF ZHAO Xuri used their skill and short passes to ensure they didn’t give it back easily. Without focusing on their defense too much China PR’s aggressiveness paid off in the 27th minute when a defensive error created a big 2nd goal. YANG Hao intercepted the ball just outside the opposition penalty area and played the ball through to his left central attacker FW GAO Lin who finished well with his left foot to make it 2-0.

China PR pressured them up to their own penalty area and were checking them aggressively with their bodies whilst remaining concentrated but Korea Rep. were atill able to get in some strong crosses and through balls. Head coach HUH Jung Moo regretted saying “I told them at halftime to relax but we weren’t able to regain our own pace” and the second half momentum remained as the first half with China PR scoring early.

In the 50th minute QU Bo dribbled by himself to create a break and exchanged passes with DENG Zhuoxiang on the right before crossing for DENG Zhuoxiang again. DENG took that cross and turned well, beating two defenders, to score with his left foot. Then it was the turn of their defense to make a big play. In the 67th minute Korea Rep. MF KIM Jung Woo’s chipped shot was cleared off the line amazingly. In the 82nd minute GK YANG Zhi made consecutive saves and didn’t concede a goal to the opposition right up until the end.

Korea Rep. GK LEE Woon Jae said “Today was a mistake. The fans will be disappointed too, we are disappointed with ourselves.” China PR have used many young Olympics squad players since their new head coach took over in May last year and GAO Hongbo said “This match will mean Chinese players no longer think they can’t beat Korea Rep. players.” Also, China PR DF DU Wei, who had his 28th birthday on February 9th, said “For myself, and my country this is the best present” as he celebrated “an historic victory.”