China brushed past Malaysia 3-1 in the second group stage of the Doha Asian Games men's soccer tournament on Sunday.

Zhou Haibin, the goal scorer in China's first group match against Iraq, broke the deadlock on 40 minutes with an open goal after playmaker Zheng Zhi's free kick wriggled free from goalkeeper Syed Adney's hands.

Forward Gao Lin then turned a powerful header home off strike partner Zhu Ting's smart flicker at the far post in the 51st minute.

China could have widened the margin, but Shen Longyuan squandered two great chances when through an open goal.

The Malaysians pulled one back with a stunning 35-meter-free kick from midfielder Mohamad Hardi on 65 minutes.

However, any chance of the Malaysians equalizing was killed when Feng Xiaoting drove home right winger Chen Tao's smart back heel pass inside the box, after Syed Adney tipped over Zheng Zhi's curving goal-bound shot in the 64th minute.

China now have six points from two straight wins under their belt and are in prime position for qualification, while Malaysia had to bid farewell to the tournament after two losses.

(Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2006)