China thrashed Chinese Hong Kong 7-0 in their last World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, but it was still not enough to get them on track for the 2006 World Cup.

As Kuwait, who led China by a goal difference of two, beat Malaysia 6-1 at home in the simultaneous qualifier, their journey to the next stage of the final eight was sealed, as they had scored one more goal than China overall.

China, determined to score goals as early as possible, played an aggressive game, constantly pushing into Hong Kong’s goal area. Their efforts paid off in the 8th minute when Li Jinyu found the net with a powerful angled shot. The striker met a deft pass by teammate Shao Jiayi and drove the ball past goalkeeper Fan Chun Yip before three defenders could stop him.

Hong Kong seemed content on sitting back to field a packed defense, managing only one shot in the first half. China, squandering several chances, had to wait 34 minutes before scoring their second goal. A shot by midfielder Yan Song caused a melee in the goal area and the ball rebounded to Shao who stepped up from the middle to thunder it in just over the line.

Shao, who plays with Munich 1860 of Germany, scored the third goal two minutes later.

Hong Kong players appeared to be running out of stamina after halftime and in the 47th minute Li netted again when he burst into the area to latch onto a pass by defender Zheng Zhi and tapped it past the helpless Fan.

China's fifth goal came in the 49th minute as midfielder Xu Yunlong scored on a volley. Despite a 5-0 lead, China, seeking a big-margin win, chose not to relax. Forward Yu Genwei, who took off veteran striker Hao Haidong in the second half, and defender Li Weifeng scored respectively before the end.

But their eighth goal, which should have kept their chance for the World Cup finals alive, never came.

(Xinhua News Agency November 18, 2004)