China PR vs Maldives

China made home advantage count in Chongqing, brushing aside Maldives 3-0 in a September international friendly that turned into the Wang Ziming show. The hosts pressed and probed for most of the first half without reward, but everything clicked once the second half got going.

The breakthrough came in the 50th minute when Wang Ziming finally beat the Maldivian defense, and he wasn't done there, adding a second in the 55th minute before completing his hat-trick in the 65th. The only blemish on an otherwise routine night was a 5th-minute yellow card for Zhong Yihao after a hard foul. Both sides used the occasion to rotate heavily, with China fielding an almost entirely new lineup after the break.

For China, the win offers a confidence boost and a fresh attacking reference point in Wang Ziming ahead of further fixtures. For Maldives, the defeat is a reality check as they continue preparations for the SAFF Championship in Bangladesh later this year.