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China Misses Final Date with Japan in Men's Soccer
China lost 1-0 to defensive Ukraine on Wednesday and missed a date in the men's soccer final with East Asian champions Japan at the ongoing 21st University Games.
Yerokhin Andriy volleyed home from 25 minutes out to stun the 40,000 home crowds and demolish the Chinese' hope of extending the hosts' dominance of men's soccer title at the last three Universiade.
Though dominating most of the game before and after the lone goal of the match, China failed to break the solid Ukrainian defense and had no ensuring chance.
China vowed to beat Japan in the final if both of them make it, said Chinese head coach Sun Chengyao last Monday.
"They think they can beat us in the final, but we believe we can win over them," said Sun after he was told that the Japanese team presumed a final match against China, which they were confident to win. "But the clash is only possible when we both go through to it."
"I think we will meet China in the final match and beat them for the championship," said Japanese head coach Takii Toshiro before the kick-off of the 16-squad tournament.
The hosts dominated men's soccer championship at the last three Universiade in Spain's Palma (1999), Italy's Sicily (1997) and Japan's Fukuoka (1995).
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