Christian Benitez, an Ecuador striker who scored the most goals in the Mexican league last season, died a day after playing his first game for his new Qatari club.

Qatari club El Jaish provided no details about the 27-year-old Benitez's death on Monday, but said the player didn't complain about his health on Sunday. The team is awaiting a medical report.

Benitez moved from Mexican club America to El Jaish, which said he passed a medical checkup on July 4 and came on Sunday in the final 10 minutes as a substitute.

"The club would like to offer its sincere condolences to the family of the player," it said in a statement. " His sudden departure is a big shock for each member of the technical and administrative staff. He was a player that over the short period he was here was regarded for his high moral character."'

El Jaish played Qatar Sports in a warm-up tournament for the upcoming season.

Reuters

(China Daily 07/31/2013 page23)