Elkeson Double On Debut As China Thrash Maldives
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published September 10, 2019 | 11:50 PM
Doha, Sept 10 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Sep, 2019 ) :Brazil-born striker Elkeson struck twice on his debut to give China a crushing 5-0 win over Maldives in a World Cup qualifier in Male on Tuesday.
Chinese football authorities included the 30-year-old in the national side last month in a bid to improve their chances of qualifying for the 2022 tournament in Qatar and Elkeson lived up to expectations by netting two penalties late in the Group A match at the Rasmee Dhandu Stadium.
Despite its clout as a global sporting and financial power China have qualified for the World Cup only once, leading to a change in policy that now allows naturalised foreign-born players to play for the national team.
"We want to go to Qatar (2022 World Cup)," Chen Xuyuan, new president of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), was quoted as saying by state media last month.
"Naturalised players can be helpful in order to achieve the national team's short-term goals.
"Up to now, clubs have registered nine naturalised players with or without Chinese heritage at the CFA in total, some of them are still going through the naturalisation process." China dominated the game and were 2-0 up at half-time with Wu Xi and Wu Lei finding the net in the 34th and 45th minute, respectively.
They then won three straight penalties, with Yang Xu first scoring from the spot in the 65th minute before Elkeson made his mark with seven minutes remaining and claimed his double in stoppage time to complete the rout.
Earlier, Hong Kong fans booed their own national anthem and sang in protest against Beijing's rule as months of political unrest spilled onto the football pitch in a 2-0 defeat to Iran.
The ear-splitting disgruntlement all but drowned out "March of the Volunteers", the anthem the semi-autonomous territory shares with mainland China, at what was Hong Kong's first home game after a summer of upheaval.
Fans also sang a newly composed protest song, "Glory to Hong Kong", repeatedly chanted "Liberate Hong Kong" and waved a black version of the territory's Bauhinia flag, a symbol of the protests that have gripped the city for 14 weeks.
Elsewhere, Australia thrashed Kuwait 3-0 with Mathew Leckie scoring twice, South Korea beat Turkmenistan 2-0, Thailand smashed Indonesia 3-0 and the UAE edged past Malaysia 2-1.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Pre-Order Your Coolest vivo Y100 Today
SC suspends PHC ruling against allocation of SIC reserved seats
ADB reaffirms continued support to Pakistan
OIC Contact Group on Jammu & Kashmir calls for early resolution of J&K dispute
Yango joins hands with Discover Pakistan to present and preserve the country’s ..
Saudi govt, companies consider Pakistan high priority economic opportunity: Ibra ..
Saudi Crown Prince expected to visit Pakistan this month
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 6 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 06 May 2024
Dubai Mum Becomes the First Ever Pakistani Woman to Climb 11 of the 14 Highest M ..
Over 37% Tobacco tax increase suggested to save lives, boost revenue
Mohsin Naqvi has offered a substantial incentive, pledging $100,000 to every pla ..
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Concerted efforts urged to ease traffic flow on city roads
1 day ago -
Land degradation: A threat to food security
1 day ago -
Revamping health sector, a gigantic task ahead
1 day ago -
American band promotes intercultural harmony thru music fusions
2 days ago -
Waste Management – A persistent challenge for MWMC
3 days ago -
Experts for ending child labour
5 days ago
-
Labour Day - A reminder for better facilities to workers
5 days ago -
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
8 days ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
8 days ago -
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
8 days ago -
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
9 days ago -
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
10 days ago