China 0 Wales 6: Gareth Bale nets hat-trick as Ryan Giggs makes dream start

Gareth Bale became his country's top scorer after he scored a hat-trick against a weakened China to help Wales to a 6-0 victory in Ryan Giggs' first game as manager.

Bale struck twice in the first half, before adding another another on 62 minutes as Wales' eased past their hosts in the first game of the four-nation China Cup tournament.

The Real Madrid forward was welcomed like a "god" in China, Giggs said ahead of the match in the southern Chinese city of Nanning, and Bale was a world apart from his Chinese opponents.

The result is a major boost for Giggs, who is desperate to convince supporters of his worth as a national team manager, after questions lingered about his dedication to the Welsh cause when he was a player.

The former Manchester United star said he was more nervous for his first managerial outing than at any point of his playing career, but Bale would have helped put his boss at ease with a strike after just two minutes.

The 28 year-old picked up a pass from Sam Vokes before holding of He Guan and smashing the ball into the top corner for the opening goal.

Bale again proved too much for his opponents when he scored his second on 20 minutes after picking up the ball and drilling low following a mix up in the China defence.

The Chinese fans were now in awe of Bales' masterclass, but Wales' third goal came at the end of a clinical team move which would have delighted Giggs.

Vokes laid off a pass for Bale who swung in a cross that Andy King headed back across goal. Vokes then flicked the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Yan Junling.

Harry Wilson, who was celebrating his 21st birthday, added a fourth for Wales after he curled in a stunning drive at the stroke of half time.

Wilson, who is on-loan at Hull City from Liverpool, then set up Wales' fifth with a delicate pass to Vokes, who rolled the ball into the bottom corner.

Bale rounded off the scoring on 62 minutes, to help Wales to their first 6-0 victory since they beat San Marino in 1996.