Asian Cup: China storm into knockout round with 3-0 win

Abu Dhabi - In the 40th minute, China finally scored with a stunning finish from Wu Lei

China advanced to the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup by thrashing the Philippines 3-0 at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
Philippines coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's reading of Chinese players didn't help as Shanghai SIPG striker Wu Lei scored twice during either halves and Yu Dabao piled on more misery with a late goal.
It was, however, a difficult start for the Chinese as they failed to find a breakthrough despite playing with three attackers. At the other end, Philippines' only striker, Javier Patino, threatened inside the box with a brutal smash but Chinese defender Feng Xiaoting took the bullet.
China largely dominated the game but couldn't find the target despite efforts from strikers Gao Lin and Wu Xi and midfielders Hao Junmin and Zhao Xuri.
In the 40th minute, China finally scored with a stunning finish from Wu Lei. The striker, silent till then, curled a right-footer into the roof of the goal from Hao Junmin's cross.
The 'Azkals' responded through Kevin Ingreso's volley but Chinese keeper Yan Junling leapt to keep it out. 
The Philippines did put an improved performance in the second half. They were able to have more control of the ball but in the 66th minute, Wu Lei blasted one more into the net from Hao Junmin's free-kick.
The sensational strike from a set-piece broke Filipino resistance and their shoulders dropped. And in the 80th minute, China completed the raid with an easy header from Yu Dabao.
Chinese coach Marcello Lippi hoped the winning run continues.
"We were aggressive. We created many chance to score. But we made many technical mistakes too, which we need to avoid. We were nervous at the start but better in the second half. Wu Lei played a great match but we are used to seeing him play like this," he said.
Despite the second successive loss, coach Eriksson saw the positive side.
"I am rather proud of our team. We could have scored a goal in the first half. Wu Lei, who is in fine form this season, was given good space in the box. You can't do that," Eriksson said.
China have advanced to next phase with six points, South Korea got three points but Kyrgyzstan, like the Philippines, are yet to break duck. "So, we still have a small hope," Eriksson noted.
China next play South Korea at Al Nahyan Stadium and Philippines take on Kyrgyzstan at Rashid Stadium in Dubai to determine the rest of the spots.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com