MALE, Sept.10 -- Elkeson scored twice to help China get off to a winning start as the "Team Dragon" defeated Maldives 5-0 in their Group A tie for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian second round qualification tournament here on Tuesday.

Brazilian-born Elkeson became the first player without Chinese ancestry to play for the national team and capped his debut with two goals, while Wu Xi, Wu Lei and Yang Xu also scored for China, who lead the way in Group A on goal difference as one of four teams on three points.

"I am very satisfied with today's result, taking all three points is just the first step of our campaign for the tournament," said China head coach Marcello Lippi, who already set his eyes on winning China's next match.

China dominated the field well and Wu Xi almost had his side ahead 6 minutes into the match, but only saw his long shot denied by Maldives' goalkeeper Mohamed Faisal.

"It is the beginning of the group matches, no matter how many goals we made, we still need to concentrate on our goals that is to enter into the top 12 teams in Asia," added Lippi.

Wu Xi opened the score for China in the 33rd minute, while Wu Lei, who's playing in Spanish La Liga club Espanyol, extended their lead to 2-0 at the end of the first half.

Maldives found their pace at the beginning of the second half, but Yang Xu's penalty kick in the 64th minute put the result beyond doubt.

The Maldives would finish with 10 men as Abdull Gani conceded a second penalty and got a second yellow card for hauling down substitute Wei Shi Hao, paving the way for Elkeson's show.

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