Manchester City win 2013 Barclays Asia Trophy

Manchester City won the Asia Trophy as Edin Dzeko’s spectacular strike earned a 1-0 victory over Premier League rivals Sunderland.

In dreadful pre-season conditions, the striker’s ninth minute, 20-yard volley settled the contest on an infamous, rain-soaked pitch at the Hong Kong Stadium.

City’s winning margin could have been more convincing but Dzeko, who also scored in the semi-final win over South China, did not match the magnificence of his volley when sending a second-half penalty high and wretchedly wide.

It may have been a friendly tournament but the victory ensured new City boss Manuel Pellegrini earned his first trophy since succeeding Roberto Mancini earlier this summer.It was not quite a trouble-free victory for City as key defender Matija Nastastic was stretchered off in the second half but they were the better side.

Dzeko opened the scoring early on, with Yaya Toure creating the opportunity with a flick-on.Also, Jermain Defoe scored a hat-trick as Tottenham Hotspurs secured third place in the Asia Trophy in Hong Kong with a 6-0 win against South China.

Spurs came out on top by six goals, aided by other strikes from Clint Dempsey, Andros Townsend and an own goal from Sean Tse.