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| AFC Cup |
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| South China sign off in style |
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| AFC Cup 2008 |
HONG KONG - South China ensured their AFC Cup campaign ended on a high note as they defeated Maldives side Victory SC 3-0 to ensure a third-place finish in Group D.
The hosts dominated the opening half at Mongkok Stadium and deservedly took the lead through Tales Schutz's header before Cris added a second just before the break.
The Brazilian then rounded off the win when he headed home his second midway through the second half.
The victory was South China's first in the competition and ensured they did not finish bottom of the group, condemning their Maldives opponents instead to that fate.
South China started brightly and had two chances early on when first Chan Chi Hong headed straight at goalkeeper Imran Mohmad before Schutz contrived to fire over the bar from close range.
The duo then combined to fluff a golden opportunity to open the scoring when they leapt for an inviting cross but collided in mid-air, causing the ball to fall comfortably into the hands of the grateful Imran.
Victory had their first real opportunity midway through the first half when Ibrahim Fazeel made a darting run through the home defence towards the edge of the area but his shot went high and wide.
But South China deservedly took the lead just before the half hour mark when Yip Chi Ho broke down the right before dispatching a pinpoint cross to Schutz, who headed home from close range.
The tall Brazilian was superbly denied a second soon after when from another Yip cross he sent a downward header goalwards that Imran did well to punch away to safety.
However, despite a good spell from Victory, South China extended their lead just before the break when Cris headed home a Wong Chin Hung free-kick.
Cheng Siu Wai struck a free-kick over the bar from 30 yards in the 50th minute as the hosts looked to further extend their lead.
Yeung Ching Kwong's drilled effort was denied by the leg of Imran in the 58th minute while Pelado fired over for Victory.
Substitute Detinho saw his powerful header saved by Imran in the 65th minute but South China went further ahead soon after when Cris headed home his second of the game.
South China goalkeeper Zhang Chunhui had to be alert when Ibrahim Fazeel's free-kick went inches wide in the closing stages but the hosts held firm to secure a comfortable win.
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