China beat Maldives 5-0 in World Cup Asian qualifiers

MALE - Elkeson scored twice to help China get off to a winning start as the "Team Dragon" defeated Maldives 5-0 in their Group A tie for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian second round qualification tournament here on Tuesday.

Brazilian-born Elkeson became the first player without Chinese ancestry to play for the national team and capped his debut with two goals, while Wu Xi, Wu Lei and Yang Xu also scored for China, who lead the way in Group A on goal difference as one of four teams on three points.