Diego Godin makes history as Uruguay thrash Thailand to win China Cup

Uruguay eased to a 4-0 win over Thailand on Monday to retain the China Cup as veteran defender Diego Godin became his country's most capped player.

Godin captained the team on his 126th appearance to move ahead of Maxi Pereira on the all-time list, and the Uruguayans were given few problems by a Thai side that struggled against more physical opponents.

Matias Vecino gave Oscar Tabarez's squad the lead after five minutes when he headed home Nicolas Lodeiro's corner at the near post.

Gaston Pereiro made it 2-0 shortly before halftime when he rolled the ball over the line following Cristhian Stuani's low cross from the left.

Stuani put himself on the scoresheet 12 minutes into the second half when he out-jumped the Thai defense to meet Giorgian de Arrascaeta's cross and power his header in.

Maximiliano Gomez added the fourth two minutes from the end with a scuffed effort to seal a scoreline that underlined the gulf between the teams.

Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin (C) breaks Maxi Pereira's appearance record to become the most-capped player in Uruguay's history after starting in their friendly match with Thailand in the China Cup, March 25, 2019. /VCG Photo

Despite his team being comprehensively outplayed, Thailand coach Sirisak Yodyardthai praised the application and endeavor of his players.

"I'd like to thank my players who fought well and to thank Uruguay for giving us the experience of playing against a very strong team. I'd also like to thank China for inviting us to play in the China Cup. The hospitality was very good, and hopefully, we will receive an invite again next year."

Uruguay coach Tabarez was gracious in victory, noting the gulf in class between his side and Thailand.

"Uruguay has much more footballing history and experience than Thailand. It's impossible to make comparisons between the two teams. I don't feel that I am capable of giving advice to teams like Thailand because everybody has to find their own way in football."

China's woes were compounded earlier in the day as lost his second game in a row since when the hosts slipped to a 1-0 loss to Uzbekistan.

Eldor Shomurodov scored the winner for Hector Cuper's team near the end of the first half when he played himself into space behind the Chinese defense and smashed the ball past goalkeeper Yan Junling.

(With inputs from Xinhua and AFP)