Bale breaks Rush scoring record

Ryan Giggs enjoyed a dream start as Wales manager on a night when Gareth Bale became his country’s top goalscorer in a 6-0 win over China yesterday.

Wales comfortably booked their place in Monday’s China Cup final against the Czech Republic or Uruguay as Bale eclipsed Ian Rush’s 28-goal record for Wales.

Sam Vokes also scored twice and Harry Wilson – winning his second cap more than four years after becoming Wales’ youngestever player – was on target as China were thrashed in front of a noisy 36,000-plus crowd in Nanning.

The two nations had never met before and 45 spots separated 65th-placed China from Wales in the Fifa world rankings.

Giggs has had to wait two months for his first match following his January appointment and the opportunity build on the work of predecessor Chris Coleman.

Bale’s hat-trick was the first claimed by a Wales player since Robert Earnshaw achieved the feat against Scotland in February 2004.

England were given a clean bill of health yesterday as they completed their final preparations to face Holland.

Gareth Southgate’s squad trained at St George’s Park before flying out to Amsterdam ahead of tonight’s friendly.

The Three Lions are missing Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand, who pulled out with a back problem on Wednesday, and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere due to a knee problem.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has been confirmed as Holland’s new captain by coach Ronald Koeman.

The former Southampton and Everton boss takes charge of his first match as Oranje boss for the clash at Amsterdam ArenA.

Republic of Ireland skipper Seamus Coleman returns to international action in tonight’s friendly in Turkey. The Everton full-back fractured both bones in his lower leg in a challenge by Wales defender Neil Taylor in March last year.

Kyle Lafferty and Niall McGinn have joined captain Steven Davis in being ruled out of Northern Ireland’s home friendly with South Korea tomorrow.