Germany's Asian Tour got off to a lacklustre start on Friday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by China.
Podolski ensures Joachim Low's men avoid an upset
Germany's Asian Tour got off to a lacklustre start on Friday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by China.
Clearing showing the effects of a gruelling season, a weakened German outfit required a Lukas Podolski equaliser to cancel out Hao Junmin's opener.
The hosts looked the brighter throughout and will be disappointed not to have claimed an impressive scalp after spurning a glut of golden opportunities.
China took the lead after just five minutes, with Hao skipping past Robert Huth and lashing an angled drive past the helpless Robert Enke.
Podolski had Germany level within two minutes, though, as he latched onto Bastian Schweinsteiger's through ball and slotted comfortably past Yang Zhi.
Gao Lin and Zheng Zhi wasted the better of China's chances after that, while Schweinsteiger came closest to snatching an undeserved victory for the visitors.
Germany's next stop takes them to Dubai on Tuesday for a friendly contest against United Arab Emirates.
