WINNING END FOR CHINA IN BOWL FINAL

But in reality England – long known as the whipping boys of the ten-team competition – were no match for the Chinese today as they fell behind very early on and showed little sign of catching up.

Zhang Xi and Wu Zhuoxi were the two early goal getters for China before England pulled one back in the 7th min via Luke Ballinger. But that was the closest the English could get to.

With some nimble footwork and terrific finishing, the Chinese raced ahead at 5-1 with goals from Zhang Xiao(12th min), Hu Jie(16th) and Zhuoxi(18th) to leave the English with plenty of hard work ahead.

Marc Canham reduced the deficit to 5-2 in the 27th min before Zhang Xiao(28th) and Zhang Xi(35th) took China ahead at 7-2.

Alex Skyes’s 38th min goal for England was but a reflection of the game in which the Chinese were a far superior side and took home the US$5,000 cheque.

“We moved well and created far more chances than England today. In fact, we could have been on a double digit score but all in all it was a good week for us here in Kuala Lumpur where we have shown so much improvement,” said China’s coach Guilherme Da Silveira.

“We will be off to Brazil next month for a 16-team invitational tournament and then we hope to qualify for the final round of the Asian Futsal Championship in Bangkok in May.

FIXTURES and RESULTS (3 Feb 2008)

Bowl Final: England vs China (3-5)
Plate Final: Holland vs Iran (5.00pm)
KL World 5s Final: Argentina vs Brazil (7.00pm)