KUALA LUMPUR, 27 July 2003 — Trinidad and Tobago striker Stern John scored twice as Birmingham City demolished hosts Malaysia 4-0 in the Football Association Premier League (FAPL) Asia Cup yesterday.

John struck after eight and 50 minutes and further goals by Stephen Clemence and Bryan Hughes in the final quarter of an hour assured Birmingham of third spot in the inaugural competition.

Malaysia looked tired having lost 4-1 to Chelsea on Friday and John, guilty of several easy misses in City’s 2-1 defeat by Newcastle on Thursday, took full advantage.

After eight minutes the languid striker unleashed a scorching shot from a pass by Birmingham’s new signing David Dunn to put his side in front.

The introduction of Stan Lazaridis in place of Dunn in the second half gave width to Birmingham’s attacks and they were quick to exploit it when John connected with a cross from the Australian international to put them 2-0 up. Malaysia’s defense was being run ragged and in the 76th minute Paul Devlin executed an inch perfect cross for Clemence to head in the third goal.

Bryan Hughes sealed the rout from a similar cross by substitute Damien Johnson eight minutes from the end in front of a sparse crowd of 3,000 at the National Stadium.

Rooney Goes for Ankle X-Ray After Everton Win

In Glasgow, England striker Wayne Rooney went to hospital for an X-ray to discover the extent of the ankle injury he sustained in Everton’s preseason friendly against Scottish champions Rangers yesterday.

The 17-year-old was carried off in some discomfort after falling awkwardly on his right ankle after 36 minutes at Ibrox and Everton manager David Moyes said the young forward required a scan on the injury.

Rooney’s injury overshadowed a good day for Everton as they came from behind to beat Rangers 3-2 on their own pitch. Steven Thompson headed Rangers ahead on 20 minutes before David Unsworth equalised with a penalty on 64 minutes.

Chinese international Li Tie whacked home a volley on 79 minutes only for Rangers to equalize a minute later through Michael Mols.

But former Celtic defender Stubbs wrapped up the win for Everton with a deflected free kick in stoppage time.

India Celebrate Rare Victory in Asian Club Championships

In Calcutta, India’s eastern state of West Bengal erupted with joy to celebrate East Bengal’s 3-1 win over Thailand’s Bec Tero Sasana in the final of the South East Asian (ASEAN) club soccer championships in Jakarta yesterday.

“It’s a historic moment for East Bengal and Indian football. It will put life into the game in the game in the country,” Kalyan Mazumdar, general secretary of the club, told Reuters by phone from Jakarta. India’s last major international victory came at the same venue in the 1962 Asian Games.