Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs CHINA NATIONAL XI.

14^th August 1982

THE CHINESE LOSE THEIR COOL.

The referee took swift action, in the 75th minute of the game, to avoid this game becoming anything but a friendly when he stepped in and ordered the Chinese management team to substitute their defender rather than issue the red card that was probably fully warranted. Zang Cailing had produced a number of agricultural challenges on young David Glenn and the Wigan man was fortunate not to be badly injured. 

The Chinese team, eccentricities apart showed a high level of technical skill and their passing and link up play was a class apart. Where they fell down was in the physical side of the game and in the art of finishing.

China nearly drew first blood when a scorching drive by Huang Xiandong beat Tunks and thundered against the crossbar, but Wigan had the better chances with both Houghton and Rogers wasting good chances.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 China XI;

On the hour mark Latics got the goal that they had threatened when a deep cross by Weston was headed home by ROGERS. The Chinese continued to compete well and they found a way back into the game with a well worked free-kick that ended with CHANGBIN blasting home.

Latics continued to have the better of the game but there were no more goals for the crowd of 2,053 to enjoy.

Manager Larry Lloyd declared himself a lot happier with the performance and his attention will now turn to the next friendly with Stoke City.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 1-1 China XI.

Scorers; Rogers (60); Changbin (77);

Attendance: 2,053

Teams; WIGAN— (4-4-2) Tunks; Glenn, Weston, Methven, Cribley; Sheldon, Barrow, O’Keefe, Houghton; Rogers, Bradd; Sub; --- Butler (for Houghton);

CHINA NATIONAL XI— (4-4-2) Fusheng; Changde, Cailing, Luofeng, Changbin; Xiandong, Dayu, Guangming, Xiangfu; Degang, Jingang; Sub; --- Minghua (for Cailing);

Referee; Mr. A. R. Banks (Radcliffe).