Barcelona thrashes China 6-0
(Reuters)
Updated: 2004-04-22 08:59

Barcelona's striker Andres Iniesta (R) tries to keep control of the ball in front of China's Xiao Zhanbo during their friendly soccer match at Barcelona's Camp Nou Stadium April 21, 2004. Barcelona won 6-0. [Reuters] Coach of the Chinese Arie Haan (L) game. [Xinhua] Barcelona's striker Andres Iniesta (L) is tackled by Wei Xin. [Reuters] FC Barcelona's Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert (L) and his teammate Marc Overmars (R) battle for the ball against China's national team player Ji Mingyi. [Reuters]  China's goalkeeper Lui Yun Fei looks down dejected after losing to Barcelona in their friendly soccer match at Barcelona's Nou Camp Stadium April 21, 2004. Barcelona won 6-0. [Reuters]

The European tour of China men's soccer team went from bad to worse as they suffered a 6-0 thrashing by Spanish club giants Barcelona.

Coached by Arie Haan, who was one of the heroes of Holland's 'Total Football' teams of the 1970s but whose job now looks in jeopardy, China also drew 0-0 with European minnows Andorra last week.

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard rested several of his key players like Ronaldinho and Edgar Davids on Wednesday, ahead of their trip to bitter rivals Real Madrid on Sunday, but still proved too strong for the Chinese.

Dutch international Philip Cocu opened the scoring after 15 minutes and the Catalans then found the net at regular intervals, with four going past beleaguered Chinese goalkeeper Liu Yun Fei in the second half, including two from former Spanish international Luis Enrique.

 Haan has left out his Europan professionals such as Sun Jihai, who plays for English Premiership side Manchester City, on this tour but his squad is still scattered with players who who were at the 2002 World Cup finals.

Defender Yang Pu and striker Xu Yun Long were among the players who saw action in Korea two years ago but failed to rise to the occasion on Wednesday.

The final game of China's three-match tour is against Albania on April 28.

Close