China Demolish Laos In Group J Opener Of AFC U-23 2020 Qualifier

SHAH ALAM (Selangor, Malaysia), March 23 (Bernama) -- China kicked off their campaign in style, whipping minnows Laos 5-0 in their Group J opener of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under 23 (U-23) 2020 Qualifier at the Shah Alam Stadium, on Friday. The East Asian side were clearly in their own element, dominating the first half with staunch attacks on Laos’ defence but only managed break the deadlock in the 29th minute, courtesy of a spot kick converted by Yang Liyu after a Laos player was adjudged using his hand to clear the ball. Striker, Shan Huanhuan doubled the lead for Guud Hiddink's side after unleashing a shot with his right foot inside the penalty box in the 42nd minute before he added his second goal in the match by nodding home a cross in the dying minute of the first half. After the restart, China continued their ferocious attacks and they managed to add two more goals in the dying minute of the match via two substitute players -- Lin Liangming and Cao Yongjing. At the post-match press conference, Hiddink said that he was extremely happy with the outstanding performance by his charges, but acknowledged that his side should have scored more goals if they had fully utilised their goal scoring opportunities, especially in the second half. "The pitch is quite bumpy, so it was difficult for my players to play fast football, but overall we did well in the first half by pressing the opponent and we got the results we wanted," the former South Korea and Chelsea manager added. Laos' head coach, V. Sundramoorthy, on the other hand, said, their opponents were clearly in the best form, adding that China had the upper hand in term of physical fitness compared to his players. "For me, the turning point for China was when they got the penalty which turned the tables against us. My players did well but some of the players made mistakes which allowed China to add more goals. Nevertheless, I will come out with better plans for the match against Malaysia and the Philippines after this," the former Singaporean international added. Hosts Malaysia will take on the Philippines in another Group J tie tonight at the same venue. -- BERNAMA