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Agence France-Presse

Wu Lei and Brazilian-born Alan Carvalho both scored twice as China demolished Guam 7-0 in a World Cup qualifier in front of a sell-out home crowd of 30,000 on Sunday.
The handsome victory over the US island territory saw China close the gap on group leaders Syria to five points with three games left, but only the top team is guaranteed to reach the next stage of qualifying for Qatar 2022.
In Li Tie’s first match since being permanently named China coach in January last year, Espanyol’s Wu opened the scoring with a 20th-minute penalty in Suzhou after being chopped down in the box.
Jin Jingdao scored the second six minutes before half-time, then 29-year-old Wu crashed in the best goal of the night on 55 minutes.
Paatelainen has ‘fighting’ unit ready for battle against Middle East powers
Wu, who struggled for game time this season as Espanyol won promotion back to Spain’s top tier, was subbed off with just under 30 minutes left.
Former Everton midfielder Li fielded three naturalised players in Brazilian-born attacking duo Elkeson and Carvalho, as well as former England youth defender Tyias Browning.
Guam’s student footballers size up China in qualifying mismatch
Elkeson scored the fifth and Carvalho came on as a sub for his debut before scoring a quick-fire double against Asian football’s smallest member nation.
China have ambitions to host and even win a World Cup one day, but they are ranked 77th in the Fifa rankings and have begun naturalising players in recent years to boost their 2022 chances.
Banned Sayed Baqer back in Bahrain squad to face Hong Kong
All remaining group A matches for all five teams will take place in a secure “bubble” in Suzhou as part of measures to thwart the coronavirus.
China face the Maldives on Thursday, followed by more difficult games against the Philippines and Syria.
China’s most likely route to the next stage of qualifying for Qatar is as one of the best second-placed teams in the Asian groups.


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Fifa World Cup 2022

World Cup 2022: China hammer Guam in front of 30,000 in Suzhou qualifier

Wu Lei (left) of China celebrates after scoring the team’s third goal during the group A match between China and Guam. Photo: Xinhua

World Cup qualifiers: Paatelainen has ‘fighting’ unit ready for battle against Middle East powers

Manager Mixu Paatelainen has been given a big task as Hong Kong take on three Middle East powers in the remaining World Cup Asian zone qualifiers. Photo: Felix Wong

Ngan Lok-fung in a practice session with the Hong Kong team at Tseung Kwan O Football Centre. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Hong Kong football team coach Mixu Paatelainen (right) looks on during the Hong Kong vs Iran match 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at Hong Kong Stadium in Happy Valley. 10SEP19 SCMP / Felix Wong

Leung Kwun-chung returns to the Hong Kong team after a five-year absence. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

World Cup 2022: Guam’s student footballers size up China in qualifying mismatch

Guam are set to take on China in Suzhou in World Cup 2022 qualifying on Sunday. Photo: AFP

(FILES) This file photo taken on October 10, 2019 shows Chinese players (L-R) Zhang Linpeng (#5), Wu Xi, Yang Xu and Chi Zhongguo celebrating a goal during the 2022 World Cup football qualifier between China and Guam in Guangzhou. - China and Guam collide in a World Cup qualifier on May 30, 2021 with the US island territory's squad -- which includes high-school and college players -- trying to cut their Chinese hosts down to size. (Photo by STR / AFP) / China OUT / TO GO WITH FBL-WC-2022-GUM-CHN, FOCUS BY PETER STEBBINGS

Qatar 2022: Hong Kong boss Mixu Paatelainen rings changes for Fifa World Cup qualifiers in Bahrain

Hong Kong head coach Mixu Paatelainen (centre) takes his first training session at the HKFA’s Tseung Kwan O Football Training Centre. Photo: Felix Wong

Qatar 2022 World Cup: Wu Lei starts for Espanyol before returning for China duty

Espanyol's Wu Lei celebrates his goal during a Spanish second division football match between RCD Espanyol and Real Sporting de Gijón last December. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Football

China


The handsome victory over the US island territory sees China close the gap on group leaders Syria to five points with three games left



The handsome victory over the US island territory sees China close the gap on group leaders Syria to five points with three games left.


World Cup 2022: China hammer Guam in front of 30,000 in Suzhou qualifier

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} The handsome victory over the US island territory sees China close the gap on group leaders Syria to five points with three games left

The handsome victory over the US island territory sees China close the gap on group leaders Syria to five points with three games left