China's Liu Jian (L) is congratulated by captain Li Weifeng after his scoring during the first round of the FIFA 2010 World Cup Asian qualifying soccer match with Myanmar in Foshan, south China's Guangdong province, Oct. 21, 2007. China won 7-0. - Xinhua

China stormed to a stylish 7-0 victory over Myanmar to open its 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign at the Century Lotus Stadium in Guangdong Province yesterday.

The big-margin win is likely to send China through to the next stage of the Asian qualifying round, although they still have to play the second leg on Oct. 28 in Kuala Lumpur.

"China is a strong team, they played a lot of one or two touch football. Our players did their best, but we could not compete with them in physique or technique," commented Myanmar coach Marcos Antonio Falopa.

"The players felt a little bit nervous at the beginning, but gradually they got into form and scored goals. They played some technical football in the game," said China coach Vladimir Petrovic.

"I'm not satisfied with the finishing and the midfield, the players wasted too many chances to score, and the midfielders should have pressured the rivals more."

Striker Qu Bo opened the scoring on 17 minutes with an accurate shot following Sun Xiang's left wing cross. Midfielder Du Zhenyu smashed home at the edge of the area eight minutes later.

Tall forward Yang Lin stroke in the 55th minute. Substitutes LiuJian and Li Jinyu, and skipper Li Weifeng added three more, before Qu Bo rounded off the night with a sharp low shot.

The hosts dominated the whole game with obvious physical and technical advantage, but squandered a dozen clear opportunities.

Petrovic didn't call back Europe-based stars like Manchester United's Dong Fangzhuo, Manchester City's Sun Jihai, Charlton's Zheng Zhi and Cottbus's Shao Jiayi, as the game is not scheduled on FIFA's international match calendar, and the clubs are reluctant to release the players amid the busy season.