Wu magic sparks China to 3-0 Asian Cup win over Philippines' Azkals

The PHL Azkals' Michael Falkesgaard makes a save from China's Wu Lei during the PHL-China match at the AFC Asian Cup Group C on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Star striker Wu Lei fired a brilliant double as China beat the Philippines 3-0 on Friday to virtually assure their place in the last 16 of the Asian Cup.

Marcello Lippi emerged victorious against old foe Sven-Goran Eriksson in a heavyweight coaching clash despite spirited early resistance from the Filipino 'Street Dogs' in Abu Dhabi.

China, runners-up in 1984 and 2004, improved to six points from two games in Group C after beating Kyrgyzstan 2-1 in their opening game.

They should have led after 32 minutes when Wu Xi headed wastefully wide from point-blank range.

But Wu Lei provided the spark five minutes before half-time, turning on the edge of the box and whipping a right-foot shot into the far corner.

His second was even better as he swiveled to slam a Hao Junmin free kick past goalkeeper Michael Falkesgaard on the volley after 66 minutes to effectively finish the tie.

Substitute Yu Dabao added a third with his first touch 10 minutes from time.

Players of the Azkals, the Philippine national soccer team, pose before their match with China at the AFC Asian Cup in Abu Dhabi on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019. China won, 3-0, assuring themselves a place in the last 16 of the Asian Cup. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

Pulverized 8-1 the last time the teams met in 2017, the Philippines gave China more of a game this time, having lost 1-0 to South Korea on their Asian Cup debut earlier this week.

Stephan Schrock, captain of the Azkals, the Philippine national soccer team, gestures to the crowd to thank fans who showed their support during the team's match with China on Friday, January 11, 2019, at the AFC Asian Cup in Abu Dhabi. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

Kevin Ingreso forced a fingertip save from China goalkeeper Yan Junling in first-half stoppage time but Eriksson's faded badly after the break.

A victory for South Korea over Kyrgyzstan later on Friday would guarantee China's progress as they look to improve on a quarter-final finish in 2015. — Agence France-Presse