Powerhouse China crushed an overmatched Bhutan squad, 6-0, to kick off their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Asia Qualifiers campaignat the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimpu, Bhutan on Tuesday, June 16, according to Xinhuanet.

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Lóngzhī Duì was bannered by Chinese greats that includes midfielder Wu Lei of Shanghai SIPG, and forwardsGao Lin of Guangzhou Evergrande, Yu Dabao of Beijing Guoan,andYang Xu of Shandong Luneng.

Yang struck Druk Yul with three goals, opening with a shot in the 47th minute mark of injury time in the first half to give China a 1-0 advantage going into halftime. He added two more goals to his statistics in the 61st and 76th minute marks of the second half to complete a hat trick.

The visitors were just too powerful for the home team as Bhutan fielded in only amateur players, as per ECNS. Even with the large discrepancy in score, Yeedzin's goalkeeper Hari Gurung did his best to deny numerous shots from Team Dragon all throughout the match.

Clearly undermanned, head coach Norio Tsukitate's boys still performed in high spirits and enjoyed the game with the Chinese. They fought back in the second half, relying on forward Chencho Gyeltshen, who was dubbed as the "Cristiano Ronaldo of Bhutan." 

Gyeltshen unleashed two killer strikes in separate occasions towards Chinese goalkeeper Yan Junling of Shanghai SIPG, which the latter barely saved.

But French head coach Alain Perrin's booters will not be denied.

Lei scored in the 55th minute mark to make it 2-0, while substitute striker Dubao, who came in a minute over the hour mark, unloaded two goals at the 67th and 83rd minutes to finalize the score, 6-0.

Forty five teams were divided into eight groups for this Asian World Cup qualifying tournament. The winners from the eight groups and the top four runners-up will advance to the knockout round of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 AFC Asian Cup finals, as reported by AFC. The remaining teams will then battle the vacant 12 spots for the 2019 Asian Cup in a separate tournament.

China and Bhutan are included in Group C together with Qatar, Hong Kong, and Maldives.

TagsPowerhouse China, Wu Lei of Shanghai, Yang struck Druk Yul, Hari Gurung, Team Dragon, Yan Junling