Goals from Tan Wangsong and Zhao Xuri gave China a 2-1 victory over Turkey in Saturday's opening World Youth Championship Group B match in Utrecht.

The result is a dream start for Eckhard Krautzun's side, whose early attacking play at the Galgenwaard Stadium proved too much for a Turkey outfit believed to be the strongest team in the group.

"Turkey were faster than us in the second half and did cause us some headaches. But our players continued to fight with zest and we were rewarded in the last minute," said a visibly satisfied Krautzun after the match.

Lanky Sichuan Guancheng defender Tan Wangsong finished off a fine passing move to put China ahead on 22 minutes with a shot into the roof of the net from the edge of the box.

Turkey had to wait until five minutes from full time for their equaliser, scored by substitute Gorhan Gursoy, but in added time Dalian Shide midfielder Zhao Xuri, on for Gao Lin, bagged all three points for the Chinese with a stunning 25-yard strike which found the top left corner.

China: Yang Cheng; Zhao Ming, Tan Wangsong, Feng Xiaoting, Zheng Tao; Zhou Haibin, Chen Tao, Zhu Ting (Hao Junmin 87'), Lu Lin (Dong Fangzhuo 73'); Gao Lin (Zhao Xuri 66'), Cui Peng

FIFA World Youth Championship Group B

Results:
China 2-1 Turkey
Ukraine 3-1 Panama

Standings:
Ukraine 1 3
China 1 3
Turkey 1 0
Panama 1 0

Fixtures:
14 June: China v Ukraine, Panama v Turkey
17 June: China v Panama, Ukraine v Turkey

(sinosoc.com June 13, 2005)