Defender Sun Xiang's late goal gave China a 2-2 draw with Costa Rica in a soccer friendly in Changsha on Sunday.

Ronald Gomez, who scored the first goal in their 2002 World Cup 2-0 opening victory over China, put Costa Rica in the 2-1 lead in the 75th minute with a free kick penetrating China's defense wall.

But their edge last only five minutes before Chinese defender Sun Xiang fired in a 20-yard shot after receiving Zheng Zhi's pass near the box.

The 80th minute goal sealed the 2-2 draw and saved China a possible loss in front of home fans.

The hosts drew the first blood in the 28th minute as midfielder Zhang Yaokun, lurking right before the net, slid in a well-placed feed from teammate Sun Xiang after Zhao Junze's tricky corner left Costa Rica's defense in disorder.

Mauricio Solis pulled it even for Costa Rica twelve minutes into the second half after he hit in a head pass from forward Brian Ruiz, who got first touch of Soto's corner.

China wasted their first chance at the 16th minute when Li Weifeng and Li Yi, who charged down to the goal line with only one Costa Rica's defender between them, both missed the neat long pass from Zheng Zhi in the right flank.

Costa Rica, who just arrived here yesterday, were apparently out of pace in the first half. The Central American team, unadaptedto the slippery field because of rain before the match, could hardly produce real threaten after penetrating China's five-men midfield although they pushed hard after 1-0 behind.

Hosts, in search of their first win since early exit from the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, put on offensive stance in a 3-5-2 formation instead of traditional 4-4-2.

Zheng Zhi, viewed as most talented young player in this team, was shifted to the front from the defense, where he played under ex-boss Arie Hann.

Despite the extra spice of revenging their world cup loss, China is playing in front of the half-empty stands as their under-20 team's gorgeous performance in the undergoing World Youth Championship drew most attention in the soccer-crazy nation.

(Xinhua News Agency June 20, 2005)