Czech Republic beat China 4-1 in China Cup third-place playoff

Tomas Kalas, Patrik Schick and Miachael Krmencik's three consecutive goals in five minutes helped the Czech Republic beat hosts China 4-1 in the third-place playoff in the second edition of the China Cup International Football Championship in Nanning city on Monday.

Antonin Barak (2nd L) of the Czech Republic heads to shoot during the match between China and the Czech Republic at the 2018 China Cup International Football Championship in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, March 26, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua/Cao Can]

China was quite aggressive in the first few minutes after kickoff, and midfielder Fan Xiaodong scored an early goal for the hosts in the 4th minute. This is also his first goal as a player for the Chinese national team.

Even though the Chinese players worked very hard, the Czech Republic still gradually took control of the game, but neither side was able to score again in the first half.

Miachael Krmencik (L) of the Czech Republic competes during the match between China and the Czech Republic at the 2018 China Cup International Football Championship in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, March 26, 2018. [Photo: Imagine China]

The Czech Republic continued to put pressure on China, and they soon found the equalizer when Kalas turned the ball in from a cross in the 57th minute, before Schick and Krmencik reversed the game with two consecutive goals in the 58th and 61st minutes.

Fan Xiaodong (2nd L) of China celebrates scoring during the match between China and the Czech Republic at the 2018 China Cup International Football Championship in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, March 26, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua/Cao Can]

China's goalkeeper denied a penalty kick from Vladimir Darida. But the Czech Republic soon made it 4-1 with a header from Pavel Kaderabek. Krmencik almost made it five in added time but his long shot was denied by the post.

The result means that the Czechs place third and China the fourth in the tournament.

In the first edition of the tournament last year, China lost 2-0 to Iceland but finished third after beating Croatia in a penalty shootout.