CHINA showcased their good qualities before taking on a decisive World Cup qualifier against Syria as the side completed a 8-1 victory over the Philippines in a friendly match in Guangzhou on Wednesday.

The goals from Ren Hang, Xiao Zhi and Yu Hanchao put China firmly in charge at halftime. Wang Yongpo, Yin Hongbo, Zhang Xizhe and Deng Hanwen’s brace sealed matters after break.

Marcello Lippi said: “We aim to make progress through matches. Our second half is better and becomes more aggressive due to the changes we have made. What I focus is the process rather than the goals.”

Lippi dropped several key players and fielded a different starting line-up as he opted for freshmen Xiao Zhi and Wang Shenchao in an attacking system while Wang Dalei replaced regular goalkeeper Zeng Cheng.

The hosts break the deadlock just in the third minute as Ren Hang’s header from Yin Hongbo’s corner found the net after hitting the upright before Wang Yongpo’s volley inside the box wide off the post within 30 seconds.

The Philippines almost leveled as Misagh Bahadoran’s shot just inches wide from the post with Wang Dalei well beaten.

China doubled the lead in the 25th minute as Yin Hongbo set up another, chipping up a cross for Xiao Zhi to head into the left corner. The Philippines pulled one goal back as Wang Dalei palmed away Iain Ramsay’s shot but Bahadoran sent the ball into the empty net.

China restored two-goal lead as Wang Yongpo delivered a low pass for Yu Hanchao to score with a shot in the 43rd minute.

Lippi made several changes in the second half and his side started to besiege the visitors as Wang Yongpo and Yin Hongbo scored in a three-minute span.

Second half substitute Zhang Xizhe should have extended the lead to 6-1 but his penalty was denied by the Philippines’ goalkeeper Patrick Deyto.

However, Zhang Xizhe, the Beijing Guoan’s midfielder made up for his miss 2 minutes later by sending his volley into the far corner.(Xinhua)