China saw off minnows Thailand 4-0 at the ongoing four-nation International Women's Soccer Invitational Tournament in Qinhuangdao on Sunday, this year's first test ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games.

China now lead the table after Italy and Mexico grounded out a 2-2 draw earlier in the day.

China dominated the Thais, despite the absence of star Ma Xiaoxu, in the attacking line-up. Ma is unavailable as she is still plying her trade in the Swedish women's soccer league.

The hosts opened their tally in the 42nd minute thanks to a superb effort from Bi Yan. The midfielder, normally playing for Dalian Shide, received a picture-perfect backward pass from Guo Yue and unleashed a piledriver from 25 meters out into the bank of the net.

Veteran striker Han Duan made it 2-0 just three minutes into the second half, netting an unhurried score inside the rivals' box. Another three minutes later, Li Jie made it three for China off a corner kick.

China did not slow down after this and Han Duan scored her second with 13 minutes left from outside the penalty box, latching onto a long pass from Xie Caixia on the right wing.

Thailand, who had already felt the wrath of a Han Duan trick during their 7-0 demolition in last year's Doha Asian Games, were pressed inside their own half, managing only two shots on goal against 11 from China in the first 45 minutes. 

The Thais had their best chance in the 25th minute when China's defense was caught napping, but none of Thailand's strikers could muster a convincing shot.

In the tourney's opener earlier on the day, Mexico blitzed to a 2-0 lead in the opening minutes but Italy kept their composure and fought back for the draw.

After a sluggish start when Italy had close to 80 percent of possession, Mexico's full back Soto Luz Del Rosario Saucedo suddenly roared into the box unmarked and deflected a cross from Luna Evelyn Lopez into the net in the 8th minute.

Just seven minutes later, Santos Arelli Martinez headed in a quick second for Mexico and put Italy on the back foot.

Unfortunately, Mexican defender Marlene Sandoval tipped the ball into her own net on 71 minutes. This unsettled Mexico and allowed Patrizia Panico to level on 84 minutes.

The Italian side pushed forward hardly after trailing 2-0 but did not impress until Sandoval's own goal. They might have regretted to talk tall too early as coach Pietro Ghedin looked down on Mexico and saying it by no means a strong rival at their last training session early on Sunday.

The next round of matches will take place in Shenyang on Wednesday where China will face Mexico and Italy will expect an easy team against Thailand. The event, co-hosted by Qinhuangdao and Shenyang, will run from July 1 to 10 and co-hosted by Qinhuangdao and Shenyang.

Before the first round matches here on Sunday, rain lashed Qinhuangdao for two days, but none of the teams complained with all the coaches praising the facilities at the Olympic Sports Center Stadium.

Photo by Hu Di for CIIC

(Xinhua News Agency July 2, 2007)