Han grabs two as China beat Uzbekistan 3-1

BEIJING, March 27 - Two first-half goals from Han Peng set China on their way to a 3-1 win against Asian Cup rivals Uzbekistan in a friendly in Macau on Tuesday.

A second half own goal made it a comfortable victory over the Uzbeks, who they will meet again in the group stage of the continental tournament in July.

Han opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Manchester United reserve Dong Fangzhuo's cross from the left found the Shandong Luneng striker unmarked eight yards out and he stuck his leg out to guide the ball into the net.

China continued to have the better of the game with Dong and Mao Jianqing finding space on the flanks.

Four minutes from the break, Mao whipped in a cross from the right and Han doubled the lead with his head, the ball adjudged to have crossed the line before the Uzbekistan goalkeeper grabbed it.

Mao was behind the third goal in the 65th minute too, his shot coming off the post into the path of Botir Karaev, who watched helplessly as it bounced off him and into the net.

Vladimir Shishelov got a consolation for the visitors 11 minutes later when he beat the Chinese defence to a through ball and poked it past goalkeeper Li Leilei.

The victory was particularly pleasing to China coach Zhu Guanghu, who was again lambasted in the media after his team were beaten 2-0 by Asian newcomers Australia in Guangzhou at the weekend.

"The match displayed that China is able to defeat any Asian giants," he told the Xinhua news agency.

China were losing finalists at the last Asian Cup and have been drawn with Iran and Malaysia as well as Uzbekistan in the group stage of the July 7-29 tournament.