Lavish cash incentive fails to inspire Caroliners
Not even the lure of a HK$400,000 win bonus could inspire South China last night as they lost 4-1 to Fulham in the Barclays Asia Trophy third-place play-off.
Man of the match Li Haiqiang, who had stolen the glory with his wonder strike against Liverpool in Tuesday's loss to the Merseysiders, failed to find the target against the Londoners this time, but he did play a role in the goal that gave the hosts a flicker of hope after they went in at half-time 2-0 down.
Playmaker Li crossed from the left in the 57th minute for Brazilian forward Flavio Barros, a second-half substitute, to tap home. But that was the best the Caroliners could offer despite team management's promise of the lucrative cash reward for victory.
Li unloaded a number of trademark left-footed shots, but his efforts were in vain.
'I was not disappointed with my performance in both games, but the more important thing was we have learned some great lessons against two top sides from the Premier League.'