China broke the curse of the Asian Cup in emphatic style last night when they thrashed lowly Malaysia 5-1 to become the first favored team to win so far in the competition.
Han Peng and Wang Dong both grabbed doubles and Shao Jiayi was also on target as the 2004 runners-up took an early lead in Group C, sending a message to their title rivals and boosting embattled coach Zhu Guanghu.
Favorites Australia and defending champions Japan have both failed to overcome unfancied sides, while there have been upset wins for Indonesia and Vietnam in the first round of matches.
China accelerated from a pedestrian start on 15 minutes when midfielder Shao unlocked the Malaysian defense with a through-ball to Wang Dong, whose chipped cross to the far post was headed in by the unmarked Han.
Shao was on hand 21 minutes later to steer home captain Zheng Zhi's cross from the left which was narrowly missed by the diving Han.
Changchun Yatai midfielder Wang Dong put it beyond doubt shortly after the break with a deflected shot which bounced through Fauzie Nan's legs and trickled into the bottom corner.
Shandong Luneng striker Han grabbed his second on 55 minutes when he met a diagonal cross from the left first-time, before Wang rounded off the scoring with a looping header in injury time.
Malaysia's chief threat was from free kicks and corners but Hardi Jaafar's delivery was usually lacking and the co-hosts' strikers were out-muscled by the Chinese defense.
Shukor Adan had an ambitious lob from distance palmed away on the hour-mark in a rare chance for the tournament co-hosts in front of a disappointing National Stadium crowd.
But Malaysian substitute Indra Putra raised the biggest cheer of the night when he buried his right-footed strike from 30m with 17 minutes to go, triggering a spell of pressure.
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