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Nanning, China | AFP | Ryan Giggs’ first game as Wales coach got off to a flying start Thursday with a 6-0 demolition of China as Gareth Bale scored a hat-trick.
The Real Madrid forward scored his 29th international goal for his country to become the highest scoring Welsh player of all time, breaking Ian Rush’s record.
Wales wasted no time asserting their dominance when Bale held off China defender Wang Shencao to place a shot into top left corner of the net after just two minutes.
It was one-way-traffic during a match between two teams which both failed to qualify for this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
??????? @GarethBale11‘s second goal against China takes him level with @Ian_Rush9 as #Wales‘ all-time leading goalscorer with 2⃣8⃣⚽#CHNWAL #TogetherStronger #一起更强大 pic.twitter.com/xzYfchYbGG
— Wales ??????? (@Cymru) March 22, 2018
Bale almost got a second in the 17th minute as he chased a ball forward, but Shanghai SIPG goalkeeper Yan Junling sprinted off his line to clear the ball.
It seemed a only matter of time before Wales scored again and in the 21st minute Sam Vokes capitalised on defensive sloppiness to put through Bale to score his second of the night.
Wales continued to enjoy complete control and scored their third when Vokes flicked Andy King’s knockdown past the outstretched fingers of Yan into the goal.
And just before half time Bale laid a pass into the path of Liverpool winger Harry Wilson who celebrated his 21st birthday by scoring his first international goal.
China rang the changes with a raft of substitutions at half time but Wales came out unchanged after the interval and continued to dominate their hosts.
Burnley striker Vokes grabbed his second in the 58th minute with a close range finish after Wilson had sprung the offside trap to put him through on goal.
Unbelievable reception here in China and to see so many Welsh Fans make the trip. Very proud to break Ian’s record tonight with the hat-trick ⚽⚽⚽ #29 #togetherstronger??????? pic.twitter.com/siujPl2wvR
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) March 22, 2018
Bale sealed his hat-trick in the 62nd minute after latching on to a long ball forward. He was promptly substituted before the restart and left the pitch to rapturous applause from the Chinese fans.
The four-team China Cup in Nanning sees Czech Republic play Uruguay, tomorrow night. The winners play Wales in the final next Monday.
Speaking after the match, China coach Marcelo Lippi said, “I don’t want to talk about the attack and defence today, I want to talk about the players attitude and performance.
“I will be 70 in a month’s time. I’m still active in this role because of my passion for football, if the players I picked didn’t show the same passion then that is my failure.”
