China thrash Denmark 6-0 at Algarve Cup
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-03-14 10:10

LAGOS, Portugal, March 13 (Xinhua) -- China beat listless Danmark 6-0 in their final group game of the Algarve Cup women's football competition on Monday.

Han Duan's hat-tirck and her striking partner Guo Yue's brace sank Denmark who managed no dangerous shot throughout the whole game.

In the 20th minute, the 22-year-old Han broke clear of Denmark's shambolic defence to drive teammate Bai Lili's penetrating pass past motionless goalkeeper Susanne Graversen.

Seven minutes later, Graversen parried Han's shot and the ball rebounded comfortably to the 20-year-old Guo who's fierce shot gave hapless Graversen no chance.

Han made it 3-0 in the 33rd mintue when she intercepted a fluffed pass by Denmark and coolly put the ball into the net.

She completed her hat-trick eight minutes later when Guo's deft pass put her in a solo run, and Graversen could do nothing to stop the inspired striker.

In the second half, China's attack abated after making five substitutions. Despite this, Guo and midfielder Zhao Xiaoyan each scored once.

Han, who suffered slight injury in her right leg, was happy that China finally scored after drawing the United States 0-0 and losing to France 1-0.

"Our attack improved up a notch after we made a lot of good passes in the midfield," she said.

"Something must have gone wrong with Denmark's defence which was so easy to beat, and their goalkeeper seldom made good saves," she added.

China's coach Ma Liangxing put on a poker face as he found his side's game far from satisfying.

"Denmark's defence was badly-orgainsed and they gave us some chances. They sometimes looked like a group of amateurs, even though my players still made a lot of mistakes," he said.

The loss seemd not to hurt Denmark's head coach Peter Bonde too much. "It's a training for us, I don't care about the score," he said.

"I fielded several inexperienced players in the match which is a part of the preparation for our next World Cup qualifying game against Belgium," he said.