ZURICH, Switzerland - Switzerland got a good send off to the World Cup
on Saturday with a 4-1 warmup win over China.
Strikers Alexander Frei and Marco Streller each scored two goals to boost
Switzerland after two straight draws against Ivory Coast and Italy.
Frei opened the scoring after 40 minutes, tapping in Raphael Wicky's pass
from close range.
Streller doubled the lead just after halftime. China goalkeeper Liu Leilei
attempted to punch the ball, which bounced off the charging Streller and into
the goal.
Frei scored a penalty two minutes later _ his 25th goal in 45 matches for the
national team _ after Ludovic Magnin was fouled in the box and Streller
completed the scoring in the 73rd. He beat the offside trap and dribbled around
the onrushing Liu to roll the ball into the empty net.
China substitute Dong Fangzhuo scored a late consolation goal.
Coach Koebi Kuhn made several changes to the side that drew 1-1 against Italy
on Wednesday, resting defenders Philippe Senderos and Johan Djourou, who both
picked up minor knocks.
Frei had the first clear scoring chance after 13 minutes when Chinese
defender Xu Yunlong slipped in possession 20 yards (meters) from his own goal.
Frei pounced on the loose ball, but sent his shot wide with only the Liu to
beat.
Liu saved Ludovic Magnin's bouncing free kick minutes later after the ball
missed everyone and bounced just in front of goal. David Degen also had a shot
deflected by Liu.
China appeared happy to keep 10 men behind the ball and look for
counterattack opportunities, but almost shocked the hosts after 25 minutes.
Han Peng outjumped Magnin at a free kick, but his header struck the inside of
the post and was knocked to safety.
Xu Lian had a chance to equalize Frei's opening goal in first-half injury
time, but missed with a free header from six yards (meters).
China's attack folded in the second half as the hosts stepped up the
pressure.
Hakan Yakin _ who was surprisingly left out of Switzerland's World Cup squad,
but now appears likely to replace injured striker Johan Vonlanthen _ came on as
a late substitute.
Lineups:
Switzerland: Pascal Zuberbuehler (Diego Benaglio, 46), Ludovic Magnin,
Stephane Grichting, Patrick Mueller (Hakan Yakin, 71), Valon Behrami (Phillip
Degen, 42), David Degen, Johann Vogel (Xavier Margairaz, 46), Raphael Wicky
(Christoph Spycher, 46), Ricardo Cabanas (Blerim Dzemaili, 63), Alexander Frei,
Marco Streller.
China: Liu Leilei, Li Weifeng, Yang Cao, Ji Mingyi, Xu Yunlong (Zhang Yaokun,
80), Zheng Zhi (Zhao Xuri, 67), Zhao Junzhe (Li Tie, 80), Xu Liang (Yan Song,
67), Gao Lin (Shi Jun, 56), Han Peng (Dong Fangzhuo, 56), Li Jinyu.