Recently crowned Viceroy Cup champions Sing Tao returned to earth with a bump when they were given a 6-0 hiding by Chinese professional side Guangzhou Apollo at Mongkok Stadium last night. Sing Tao, who lifted their second Viceroy Cup in three seasons five days ago, looked anything but champions as Guangzhou Apollo showed why they are considered a force in the Chinese league. Danish forward Karim Haddaovi led the goal-scoring honours with a hat-trick, including one from the penalty spot, to help his team win the Viceroy Challenge Cup and $150,000 prize money. Guangzhou Apollo, third in the Chinese league standings after five games, led 2-0 at half-time thanks to Tan Ende's two goals. Tan first scored in the 43rd minute when he darted through the centre before finding space to shoot low past Sing Tao goalkeeper Iain Hesford. Tan struck again just before the break after turning another low shot past Hesford. Haddaovi scored the first of his three goals in the 51st minute when he converted from the penalty spot after Hu Zhijun was brought down by Marlon Van Der Sander. Hu scored his team's fourth when he broke through the Sing Tao defence before tapping home in the 60th minute. Haddaovi struck again in the 70th and 72nd minutes to complete the rout.
