China's Liu Boyang (C) vies with Portugal's Pedro Correia (L) and Dju Mesaque during the Toulon Tournament 2018 play-off for the 9th and 10th spots between China and Portugal, at the Stade Marcel Cerdan Stadium in Carnoux-en-provence, southern France on June 5, 2018. Portugal won 2-0. (Xinhua/Jin Yu)
CARNOUX, France, June 5 (Xinhua) -- An ambitious Chinese U-21 team wrapped up the Toulon tournament with a 2-0 loss to Portugal in a match-up for the ninth place on Tuesday.
The team led by former Chinese international defender Sun Jihai allowed two goals in the 12th and 27th minute respectively.
In the second half, China launched many offensives and the most effective one came in the 34th minute but was denied by the post.
Commenting on the defeat, Sun said that his team has tried its best and narrowed the gap with Portugal by active defense.
"We played better in the second half and if the football rules are the same in the world, we should have had two penalties. Actually we don't have much time to prepare for the tournament. It's a good tournament for me and my team," Sun said.
The Toulon tournament has 12 teams drawn into three groups of four. China were eliminated in Group A with two losses and one draw, which includes England, Qatar and Mexico.
