Slick Spain ease to 3-0 win over China
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-27 14:11

Spain warmed up for next week's World Cup qualifier against Serbia & Montenegro with a comfortable 3-0 win over China in a rain-soaked friendly on Saturday.

Spain's Fernando Torres (Back) vies for the ball with China's Li Wei Feng in a friendly game between Spain and China at the stadium Helmantico, in Salamanca. Spain won the match 3-0. [AFP]

Luis Aragones's side turned in a confident display in their first match against China but will need to show more of a killer instinct in front of goal if they are to overturn the Group Seven leaders in Belgrade on Wednesday.

"The Serbia game will be much tougher than this one," midfielder Albert Luque told Radio Marca after the game. "But if we build on the attitude we showed today, we should do well and come away with a result."

The home team made a flying start when striker Fernando Torres netted a third-minute penalty after defender Du Wei was rather harshly adjudged to have pulled back Luque as he raced into the area to try and connect with a pass from Joaquin.

Confidently spraying the ball around the midfield, Spain had a great chance to extend their lead five minutes later, but Ivan de la Pena sliced wide.

They then had a goal ruled out for offside after defender Pablo Ibanez bounced a header over keeper Lui Yunfei.

However, Spain were rewarded for their sustained pressure 10 minutes later when China's European-based player Shao Jiayi diverted a Xavi free kick into his own net as he tried to head the ball clear of the area.

SEVERAL CHANGES

Aragones made a raft of changes at the start of the second half, giving 18-year-old Sevilla defender Sergio Ramos, Valencia striker Mista and Liverpool's Luis Garcia their debuts.

His team's two best players, De la Pena and Joaquin then combined to create the home side's third goal eight minutes after the break.

The Espanyol midfielder threaded a brilliantly disguised through-ball to the feet of Joaquin and the Real Betis winger finished off with a delightful chip over Liu from a metre outside the area.

China, who are rebuilding after the disappointment of missing out on the 2006 World Cup, missed a double chance for a consolation 20 minutes from time.

Substitute Hu Zhaojun had a first shot well-blocked by keeper Iker Casillas and then sent his follow-up chip over the bar.

Spain could have added a fourth shortly before the final whistle, but Garcia hit the bar with a powerful long-range drive.

Close

China loses to Spain 0-3 Netherlands face Romania in World Cup European zone Group one qualifier Liu Xiang and Allen Johnson to compete in Shanghai

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