New Delhi: In Malaysia's first Asian Cup finals match in 27 years, the co-hosts were trounced 5-1 by an China in a Group C match on Tuesday at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia fell behind in the 15th minute when striker Han Peng scored with a close range header following an accurate pass by midfielder Wang Dong.
In the 36th minute Shao Jiayi connected a cross from Zhengzhi for China's second goal. The match was 2-0 in China's favour at the break.
In the second half, too, the Chinese players continued to attack and scored two goals through Wang Dong and Han Peng in the 51st and the 55th minute, respectively.
Malaysia reduced the margin when substitute striker Mahayuddin Indra Putra scored one in the 72nd minute but that was to the only one from the co-hosts. China finished the match 5-1 after Wang Dong headed in his second in injury time.
Malaysia now face Uzbekistan on July 14 while China take on Iran the next day.
In another match of the Asian Cup Indonesia won a 2-1 against Bahrain in the Group D opener on Tuesday in the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.
In a match that was fast-paced with both the teams creating many chances, co-hosts Indonesia got on the board in the 14th minute when Budi Sudarsono slotted the ball into the net after a defence-splitting pass from Utina.
But Bahrain pulled level in the 27th minute when Sayed Mahmood Jalal put the ball in the net following some poor defending by Indonesia.
Bambang Pamungkas, however, scored the crucial second goal on a rebound in the 61st minute. Indonesia ended the match 2-1.
The tournament is being co-hosted by Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia with the final in Jakarta on July 29.
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