DOHA, Dec 7: China moved closer to their first ever appearance in the semi-finals of the Asian Games men's field hockey with a 4-1 drubbing of Bangladesh here on Thursday. Defending champions South Korea made light of the rain and gusty winds to thrash lowly Oman 10-0 in another group B match at the Al Rayyan stadium.

China top the group with three successive wins and need only a draw against the Koreans on Friday to become the first team in the 10-nation competition to make the semi-finals.

South Korea have played only two matches and won both easily, the first being a 9-1 rout of Bangladesh on Tuesday.

China's best finish in the Asiad men's hockey was the fifth place at home in Beijing in 1990. —AFP