Flying start propels China

Midfielder Zhang Xi, goalkeeper Zheng Tao and striker Zhang Xiao helped China storm into an early 3-1 lead with Annaberdy Chariyev netting for Turkmenistan as the contest began at a frantic pace.

China maintained their two goal cushion at the break as midfielder Huang He added a fourth and defender Mergen Atayev kept Turkmenistan, who lost 5-3 to Iraq on Sunday, in touch.

But Liang Shuang, who scored China’s late consolation in the 5-1 defeat by Japan in Sunday’s Group D opener, extended the lead five minutes after half-time before Huang’s second with two minutes remaining sealed the win and eliminated Turkmenistan.