SCHALKE LOSE TO CHINESE CHAMPIONS GUANGZHOU EVERGRANDE

German outfit Schalke lost to Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande in a friendly played in China.

They lost out on in a penalty shootout that ended 5-4 in favour of the hosts on Thursday in a second game at the Royal Blues' training camp.

The game proceeded but both sides could not break the deadlock and it ended at regular time goalless. They proceeded to play penalties. Hosts Guangzhou were on point scoring all their kicks but Sidney Sam lost his after Sascha Riether, Franco Di Santo, Johannes Geis and Naldo had scored. Schalke were not pleased with the results especially as they had dominated largely through the match despite the tropical heat of the Century Lotus Stadium.

However, Schalke would take solace in the fact that they had defeated their opposition’s neighbours Guangzhou R&F 6-1 on Tuesday. During the game, Geis was close to breaking the deadlock with his free kick after just 24 minutes into the game. Others that threatened include Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Dennis Aogo came very close for the hosts when he headed a goal bound ball. Eventually 90 minutes passed without any goal from either side.

After the game, the visitors enjoyed other part of their China pre season tour. Schalke’s Max Meyer joined by Geis, Naldo, Di Santo and Ralf Fährmann appeared at the Adida meet-and-greet. Also, Kaan Ayhan, Alexander Nübel, Sam and Gerald Asamoah met with kids from local schools where they gave out gifts and posed for pictures. The club’s legend Asamoah also joined in a training session at a school in Foshan run by the Knappen Football School with many local fans cheering them on. The Bundesliga club used the opportunity to relax and expect the players and staff to be refreshed when they return back to Germany for the new season.