Sports

Published: Saturday June 5, 2010 MYT 8:23:00 AM
Updated: Saturday June 5, 2010 MYT 8:24:34 AM

Non-qualifier China beats France 1-0, Slovenia beats Kiwis


LONDON: France was beaten 1-0 in an upset by non-qualifier China in World Cup warmup action Friday.

Deng Zhuo Xiang's 68th-minute free kick was enough to beat a strong France lineup at Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean.

A strong France lineup, with Thierry Henry going on as a second half substitute, was frustrated by repeated saves by China's goalkeeper and its own persistence in trying to walk the ball into the net.

Milivoje Novakovic scored twice and Andraz Kirm added another goal for Slovenia to defeat New Zealand 3-1 in a World Cup warmup for both countries on Friday.

Rory Fallon scored for New Zealand. Novakovic's first goal came in the seventh minute from a 25-meter free kick.

After some confusion in the Slovenian defense, Fallon equalized in the 20th with a 12-meter volley.

Ten minutes later, Novakovic again scored from a 25-meter free kick. Kirm made it 3-1 in the 44th minute.

Slovenia and New Zealand will both be playing in their second World Cup at the tournament in South Africa. - AP


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