China beats Singapore 5-0 in AFC U-23 qualifier

China whitewashed Singapore 5-0 in its second AFC U-23 qualifying match in Laos' capital on Sunday.

Midfielder Li Yuanyi gifted China 1-0 lead only two minutes into the game.

Some promising chances followed intermittently but were repelled by Singapore's keeper Zharfan.

The 39th minute saw midfielder Feng Gang lift China to 2-0 lead.

The second half saw China maintaining domination, though multiple attempts on goal came to naught until a foul on midfielder Chang Feiya brought a penalty which was cashed by Xu Xin in the 58th minute.

Eight minutes later, China's substitute Zang Yifeng added another to the total.

Wu Xinghan sealed the win at 5-0 in the 79th minute.

Frustration began to show for Singapore as the match dragged on with two yellow cards in quick succession to captain Iqbal and keeper Zharfan, the latter resulting in a penalty which was denied by the cross bar.

China coach Fu Bo rated his team's performance at 70 percent, signalling what he saw as an improvement on the first qualifying match against Mongolia which also ended in 5-0 on Friday.

"This time we controlled the ball much better than last time, Singapore were stronger than the Mongolia, so our players had to improve their skills," Fu said.

"We scored very early which was helpful in terms of the players' ability to exert to control in the very hot weather.

"In such weather if you can score earlier it will help the players to control the match, otherwise some times players get nervous and lose patience.

Singapore coach Bok Kok Chuan paid credit to his team despite the loss which sees them facing off against Mongolia on Tuesday for pride.

"The boys gave their everything," he said.

A win in its final qualifying match against Laos on Tuesday would see China guaranteed a spot at the 2016 AFC U-23 Championships in Qatar.

The tournament also doubles as Olympic qualifier, with the continent's top three teams in Qatar to head to Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Endi