China's U-23 men's football team staged a late comeback to secure a 1-1 draw with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the International Youth Tournament on Saturday, March 28. Substitute Xiang Yuwang calmly converted an 85th-minute penalty to salvage a point for the hosts after trailing for most of the match.
The DPRK took an early lead when forward Ryang Kwang-myong capitalized on a rebound following goalkeeper Yao Haoyang's initial save. Despite making six lineup changes from their previous 2-2 draw with Thailand, China struggled to break through the DPRK's disciplined defense until Li Xinxiang drew a crucial foul in the penalty area.
Midfielder Mao Weijie acknowledged the team's slow start, stating: "The DPRK players have a high level of individual ability and they play at a fast pace. We'll analyze our performance and improve for the next challenge."
China will conclude their tournament campaign against Vietnam on Tuesday, March 31, with both teams seeking to build momentum ahead of upcoming regional competitions.
