Wednesday July 11, 2007
Five-star China hand Malaysia a thrashing
By ERIC SAMUEL
KUALA LUMPUR: Fancied China got off to a rousing start in the Asian Cup Finals, beating Malaysia 5-1 in the opening Group C match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here last night.
There was nothing much Malaysia could do against the tactically sound Chinese players and they conceded goals to Han Peng (15th, 54th), Shao Jiayi (36th) and Wang Dong (51st, 90th). Substitute Indra Putra Mahayuddin scored a consolation goal for Malaysia in the 73rd minute.
The Malaysians had no answer to the Chinese onslaught and paid dearly for their poor tactical discipline, especially in defence.
Late strike: Wang Dong celebrating his second goal and China’s fifth in the 5-1 win over Malaysia at National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last night. – KAMAL SELLEHUDDIN / The Star It took 15 minutes for China to get off the mark with striker Han Peng rising to nod in a cross from Wang Dong.
The Malaysian defence cracked for the second time after skipper Kaironissam Sahabuddin failed to clear the ball in the box in the 36th minute. Nippy Sun Xiang latched onto to it and crossed the ball over the Malaysian defence for Shao Jiayi to stab home.
The script for the second half was no different and China scored two goals in a space of three minutes before Indra pulled a goal back for Malaysia.
A cracking shot from Wang Dong in the 51st minute took a deflection off fullback Rosdi Talib to beat goalkeeper Azizon Kadir, who went the wrong way. Three minutes later, Han Peng got his second goal of the night, slotting home a cross from Mao Jianging.
Two substitutions by coach Norizan Bakar made a big difference to the Malaysian game. Fullback K. Nanthakumar came in for midfielder Fadzli Saari and Indra replaced striker Akmal Rizal at the hour mark. Nanthakumar took over Kaironissam's role as centreback and the later moved into the midfield position.
Then came the biggest roar of the night in the stadium when Indra’s first-timer from the top of the box beat goalkeeper Li Leilei in the 73rd minute. Hardi Jaafar provided a low cross for Hairuddin Omar to relay to Indra.
Wang Dong had the last say for China, popping in his second goal in stoppage time.
Malaysia: Azizon Kadir, Fauzie Nan, Norhafiz Zamani Misbah, Mohd Kaironissam Sahabuddin, Rosdi Talib, Sharulnizam Mustapha, Mohd Hardi Jaafar, Mohd Shukor Adan, Fadzli Saari (K. Nanthakumar), Hairuddin Omar, Akmal Rizal (Indra Putra Mahayuddin).
China: Li Leilei, Sun Xiang, Zhang Yaokum, Li Weifeng, Shao Jiayi (Li Tie), Sun Jihai, Han Peng (Dong Fangzhuo), Zheng Zhi, Wang Dong, Zhou Habin, Mao Jianqing (Zheng Bin).
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