Brazil held 0-0 by China

A lethargic Brazil drew 0-0 with China on Wednesday in a friendly international which they could easily have lost had the home side possessed sharper strikers.

Three times Sun Jihai, at the heart of nearly all China's best moves, chipped in low crosses that eluded the tall Brazilian centre backs only to see his strikers fail to trouble goalkeeper Dida when they should have scored.

A draw was a fine result for a side thrashed 4-0 by the Brazilians in the World Cup last year and a great start for new China coach Arie Haan.

But there were few signs of the promises Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira made of a world champion performance as his side strolled through the first half and rarely penetrated the blanket Chinese defence.

They were a little brighter in the second half and Ronaldinho would surely have scored just three minutes in but for a dubious offside decision.

Chinese goalkeeper Liu Yunfei had to be alert several times as the Brazilians slotted in angled passes towards Ronaldo, who showed few flashes of his ability to terrorise defences.

The closest he came to scoring was in the 58th minute when Ronaldinho capped a wonderful run that took him past four defenders with a chip that Ronaldo managed to scoop over the onrushing goalkeeper only for the ball to be scooped away at the last moment.