Goodwill Trophy: Colin Montgomerie felt the International team's Asian contingent made the difference as his Europe and United States team suffered defeat at the inaugural Goodwill Trophy in China yesterday.

Retief Goosen's side completed a 6½-5½ win over Montgomerie's combined Ryder Cup stars at Mission Hills Golf Club with the team's four Asian members making valuable contributions.

Pick of the performances came from South Korea's KJ Choi and Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee, who earned vital victories over Paul Casey and Luke Donald respectively.

"The Asian players won it for Retief's team," said Montgomerie. "For KJ and Thongchai to . . . beat Paul Casey and Luke Donald was a very, very strong two points and was probably why the result went to the International team. If you put Paul Casey and Luke Donald out in any team you expect at least a point from them so that was an important two points."

Choi defeated Casey one-up but led the Englishman for much of the round, only falling behind when Casey won the sixth. However, Choi a four-time recovered on the seventh and never trailed again.

Jaidee overcame Donald despite falling behind at the first but by the 10th the Thai golfer had taken the lead and he held on for a 2 and 1 victory.