China demolish Laos in Group J opener of AFC U-23 2020 Qualifier
SHAH ALAM: 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 yesterday.
The East Asian side were clearly in their own element, dominating the first half with staunch attacks on the 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.