Italian champions Lazio beat China 6-3 on Tuesday in a friendly match

Lazio Beat China 6-3, Eriksson Quits

several hours later when Sven Goran Eriksson quit as Lazio coach to become manager of England.

The match marked the end of the Lazio's centenary year celebrations -- the club was founded on January 9, 1900.

But it was overshadowed by events earlier in the day when Eriksson stepped down and Dino Zoff took over as Lazio's coach for the third time in his career.

The match also marked the last appearance of Roberto Mancini in Lazio colors. The former Sampdoria striker announced earlier that he too would quit with Eriksson.

Lazio established a 3-0 lead through Simone Inzaghi, Marcelo Salas and Fabrizio Ravanelli before China pulled a goal back through Ma Mingyu, who plays for Serie A rivals Perugia.

Ravanelli then scored his second of the night, Hernan Crespo added another and although China scored two late goals by England- based defender Zhang Enhua, Mancini's substitute Emanuele Berrettoni restored Lazio's three-goal advantage before the final whistle.

(People's Daily 01/10/01)