China stormed to a stylish 7-0 victory over Myanmar to open its
2010 World Cup qualifying campaign at the Century Lotus Stadium in
Foshan, Guangdong Province on Sunday.
China's Liu Jian (L) is
congratulated by captain Li Weifeng after his scoring during the
first round of the FIFA 2010 World Cup Asian qualifying soccer
match with Myanmar in Foshan, south China's Guangdong Province,
Oct. 21, 2007. China won 7-0.
The big-margin win is likely to send China through to the next
stage of the Asian qualifying round, although they still have to
play the second leg on Oct. 28 in Kuala Lumpur.
"China is a strong team; they played a lot of one or two touch
football. Our players did their best, but we could not compete with
them in physique or technique," commented Myanmar coach Marcos
Antonio Falopa.
"The players felt a little bit nervous at the beginning, but
gradually they got into form and scored goals. They played some
technical football in the game," said China coach Vladimir
Petrovic.
"I'm not satisfied with the finishing and the midfield, the
players wasted too many chances to score, and the midfielders
should have pressured the rivals more."
China's Zhao Junzhe (L)
vies with a player of Myanmar during the first round of the FIFA
2010 World Cup Asian qualifying soccer match in Foshan, south
China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 21, 2007. China won
7-0.
Striker Qu Bo opened the scoring on 17 minutes with an accurate
shot following Sun Xiang's left wing cross. Midfielder Du Zhenyu
smashed home at the edge of the area eight minutes later.
Tall forward Yang Lin stroke in the 55th minute. Substitutes
LiuJian and Li Jinyu, and skipper Li Weifeng added three more,
before Qu Bo rounded off the night with a sharp low shot.
China's Du Zhenyu
celebrates a score during the first round of the FIFA 2010 World
Cup Asian qualifying soccer match with Myanmar in Foshan, south
China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 21, 2007. China won
7-0.
The hosts dominated the whole game with obvious physical and
technical advantage, but squandered a dozen clear
opportunities.
Petrovic didn't call back Europe-based stars like Manchester
United's Dong Fangzhuo, Manchester City's Sun Jihai, Charlton's
Zheng Zhi and Cottbus's Shao Jiayi, as the game is not scheduled on
FIFA's international match calendar, and the clubs are reluctant to
release the players amid the busy season.
China's Du Wei (Top) vies
with a player of Myanmar during the first round of the FIFA 2010
World Cup Asian qualifying soccer match in Foshan, south China's
Guangdong Province, Oct. 21, 2007. China won 7-0.
(Xinhua News Agency October 22, 2007)
