Brazil thrashes China 8-0 in international friendly

Brazil's Neymar (C) fights for the ball with China's Tang Miao (R) during their international friendly soccer match in Recife, Sept 10, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

RECIFE - A Neymar hat-trick helped Brazil to an 8-0 victory over China in their international friendly at Recife's Arruda stadium on Monday.

The 20-year-old Brazil international striker scored one goal in the first half and then two inside the space of six minutes early in the second before being substituted on 71 minutes.

China's best chance came in the 24th minute when substitute Zhang Yuan's header forced a superb reflex save from Diego Alves.

Zhang also had the opportunity to score in the final minute of the match when he took possession in the penalty area only to shoot just wide of the far post.

After being jeered by the Sao Paulo crowd during a 1-0 victory over South Africa last Friday, Brazil enjoyed constant support from the local fans.

"Their encouragement made a difference today," Brazil defender Dani Alves said after the match.

"The connection we had as a team with the fans was great. We knew we had to improve after the South Africa game but without the support of the fans we can't do that. We are all in this together."

Ramires opened the scoring in the 22nd-minute when he exchanged passes with Chelsea teammate Oscar before poking in from close range.

Brazil's Neymar (back C) celebrates with teammates Lucas (L) and Hulk (2nd R) after scoring against China's Zeng Cheng (R) during their international friendly soccer match in Recife, Sept 10, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Neymar followed three minutes later after another Oscar assist as Brazil went to the half-time break with a 2-0 lead.

Lucas scored Brazil's third three minutes after the restart following a Hulk assist before the Zenit St Petersburg forward made it 4-0 by firing in low shot after Neymar hit the woodwork.

Neymar then netted his second courtesy of Marcelo's cross and the Santos star completed his hat-trick following another Oscar assist.

Liu Jianye unluckily slid the ball into his own net while attempting a 70th-minute clearance before Oscar scored Brazil's eighth from the penalty spot after Marcelo was taken down by Yu Yang.

Brazil's Neymar (L) celebrates with teammate Lucas after scoring against China during their international friendly soccer match in Recife, Sept 10, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]