China wins 1-0 over host Peru

China edged host Peru 1-0 to gain the upper hand in the group phase at the FIFA U-17 world championships Tuesday. A shot from 30 meters out by left back Deng Zhuoxiang helped China to settle the advantage in Group A where the victory becomes the first match to have a winner as the tournament enters its second round.

Peru coach José Pavoni sent out an unchanged line-up for the second match at the tournament. China made one alteration to their starting formation, defender Nanri Cui replacing suspended Gu Cao.

Roared on by the partisan home crowd, the Peruvians set off at a furious pace only for the Andean express to come off the rails after 13 minutes, Deng Zhuoxiang beating keeper Gian Franco Castellanos all ends up with a 25-metre drive bristling with controlled menace (0:1, 13). The Chinese came within a whisker of doubling their advantage just three minutes later after a slick one-two found Yang Xu hovering near the penalty spot, but the striker's shot with the outside of the boot struck the upright.

China lead the group with four points, followed by Ghana and Costa Rica, both having two points with one game left.

China next play Ghana while Peru take on Costa Rica in the Group where qualifiers may be decided by goals difference.

China’s goalkeeper Wang Dalei, also a Player of the Tournament at the Asian U-17 Championship, is banned from the decisive clash with Ghana after having collected two yellows.