Munich 1860 midfielder Shao Jiayi scored two goals and set up another one to help China roll over Indonesia 5-0 on their second group match of Asian Cup at Beijing Workers' Stadium July 21.
Thanks to goals from Shao, Hao Haidong, Li Yi and Li Ming, China moved to the top of the Group A with four points, one point clear of Indonesia.
Bahrain is third with 2 points while Qatar remains at the bottom after the two teams ended the earlier match at a 1-1 draw.
"Five means a handful. It is a lot," said Chinese head coach Arie Haan, who was relived a lot after the match.
"We are happy to play a good match. We played our game. I am satisfied with what my players did today," Haan said.
The host team, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Bahrain in the last minute of the opening match, learned a lesson and kept pressure on Indonesia throughout the match.
Shao and Zhao Junzhe both went close of scoring at the start of the match but had to keep the fans waiting until 25th minute when Li Jinyu set up a comfortable pass for Shao, who blasted ball into the net.
China completely controlled the match after Indonesia's Alexander Pulalo was sent off after picking up second yellow card.
It was Shao again, whose pass turned to a brilliant header from Hao Haidong at five minutes from the break.
Haan singled out Shao and gave him credit.
"He is close to his best form. It is a good match from him."
China continued to dominate at second half as Shao, Li Jinyu and Sun Xiang all missed scoring chances at the beginning.
But it did not take a long time as Indonesia's goalkeeper Hendro Kartiko failed to clear Li Ming's direct corner six minutes into the second.
Li Yi, who played as a substitute for Hao, could have made it 4-0 as he kicked the one-to-one ball into the goal keeper.
But China was unstoppable as Shao found the net again at 66th minute before Li Yi completed the rout 10 minutes from the end with a header.
China has never won the Asian Cup. They only need a point against Qatar on Sunday to be assured of a quarter-final spot.
Indonesia, who pulled off a surprising win over Qatar at the opening match, has to fight for points at the last match against Bahrain.
"It is sad for us. We lost our key player at 10th minute due to injury and then had to play with 10 players. To have to play against China with 10 players, there is nothing we can do," said Indonesia's coach Kolev Ivan Venkov.
Earlier, Qatar, who was humbled 2-1 by Indonesia in the opening match, could not give their new coach Saeed Al Meshed a consolation as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bahrain at the last minutes.
The deadlock was broken until 59th minute when Sayed Ali Bechir was broken down in the box and earned a penalty for Qatar.
Bahrain fought back remarkably and after squandering several chances, M.Hubail headed a dramatic equalizer in the injured times.
(China Daily July 22, 2004)
