Persian Soccer Press Asian Cup

Iraq wins Asian cup

2007-07-29T16:44:00.000-07:00

JAKARTA, Indonesia - Iraq won the Asian Cup for the first time Sunday, a beacon of hope for a nation divided by war.

Iraq's 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia on a 71st-minute header by captain Younis Mahmoud was an inspirational triumph for a team whose players straddle bitter and violent ethnic divides. After the game, Mahmoud called for the United States to withdraw its troops from his nation.

"I want America to go out," he said. "Today, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, but out. I wish the American people didn't invade Iraq and, hopefully, it will be over soon."

Iraq, whose only World Cup appearance was in 1986, dominated the Saudis, three-time Asian Cup champions. Iraq joins the United States, Brazil, Italy and host South Africa at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup along with the champions of Europe, Africa and Oceania.

Elation was juxtaposed against the tragedy in the players' homeland. Coach Jorvan Vieira and Mahmoud wore black armbands during the postgame news conference to commemorate the dozens of fans killed back home during celebrations following Wednesday's semifinal victory over South Korea.

"It's very clear, from our arms, our respect to the people who died when we put Korea out of the competition," Vieira said. "This victory we offer to the families of those people."

Vieira, who is Brazilian, resigned after the game.

"I have worked my best to give happiness to the Iraqi people, to bring a warm smile to their lips and my mission is accomplished," Vieira said. "The satisfaction is doubled when you can get this cup and you bring happiness for a country, not just a team. It's more important than anything."

Mahmoud, who plays for Al Gharafa in Qatar, scored his fourth goal of the tournament when he met Hawar Mulla Mohammed's corner kick at the far post. Goalkeeper Yaser Al Mosailem came for the ball but didn't get it, presenting an easy chance for an unmarked Mahmoud.

At the final whistle, Mahmoud sprinted across the field with his elated teammates in pursuit before they collapsed into a pile, overwhelmed with their achievement. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's office announced that each Iraqi player will receive $10,000.

In Dearborn, Mich., Iraqi-Americans gathered in the streets, honking horns, sitting on car roofs and waving flags.

Jubilation over the team known as the "Lions of the Two Rivers" gave Iraqis a rare respite from the daily violence. The victorious run sent men of all ages cheering and dancing in Baghdad.

Celebratory gunfire resounded across the city and revelers poured into the streets in defiance of orders from authorities while mosques broadcast calls for the shooting to stop. Security forces enforced a vehicle ban in an effort to prevent a repeat of car bombings that killed dozens celebrating Iraq's progress to the final.

"The players have made us proud, not the greedy politicians," said Sabah Shaiyal, a 43-year-old police officer in Baghdad. "Once again, our national team has shown that there is only one, united Iraq."

Qatar was announced Sunday as the host of the next Asian Cup, to be played in 2011.

Saudis down defending champions

2007-07-25T13:05:00.000-07:00

HANOI - Malek Maaz helped end Japan hopes of a hat-trick of AFC Asian Cups with the livewire striker bagging a double as Saudi Arabia defeated the defending champions 3-2 in a see-saw semi-final at the My Dinh Stadium on Wednesday.

The Al Ahli forward scored the decisive goal in the 57th minute after the Saudis had twice squandered the lead. Yuji Nakazawa cancelled out Yasser Al Qahtani opener and Yuki Abe acrobatically drew Japan level after his defensive lapse allowed Malek Maaz to regain the Gulf side's advantage.

Japan and Saudi Arabia, both looking to win the competition for a fourth time, stuck with the same starting 11 that began their respective quarter-final victories over Australia and Uzbekistan and it was the defending champions who created the first chance of the match.

Yasuhito Endo and Shunsuke Nakamura exchanged passes at an eighth minute corner before the latter swung the ball into the six-yard area but the Celtic midfielder's cross was punched clear by Yaser Al Mosailem before it could reach the head of Yuji Nakazawa.

The Saudi keeper was called into action again seven minutes later when he blocked at the feet of Seiichiro Maki after Keita Suzuki had threaded the ball through to the JEF United striker.

Saudi Arabia, who had been distinctly second best in the opening exchanges, soon settled and in the 25th minute a shot from skipper Yasser Al Qahtani almost looped in after deflecting off the out-stretched leg of Nakazawa before Japan keeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi palmed away the resulting corner from Abdulrahman Al Qahtani.

The Al Qahtanis were both involved as the Saudis took a 35th minute lead, with Taiseer Al Jassam knocking down Abdulrahman free-kick in to the path of Yasser, who hooked the ball past Kawaguchi.

The Saudis had barely finished celebrating the sniper's fourth goal of the tournament when Japan levelled two minutes later as Nakazawa charged in front of Al Mosailem to head home an Endo corner.

Japan almost stole a second going into the break when Al Mosailem flapped at a Nakamura free-kick but the ball bounced just past the Al Ahli keeper right hand post.

Just two minutes into the second half the Saudis went ahead when Malek Maaz ghosted in between Nakazawa and Yuki Abe to nod in Ahmed Al Bahari pinpoint cross from the right.

But for a second time Japan hit back soon after and for a second time the equaliser came from an Endo corner.

The Gamba Osaka midfielder's 53rd minute flag kick was headed back across the penalty area by Seiichiro Maki and dispatched past Al Mosailem via an acrobatic scissors kick from Abe.

Abe had appeared to atone for his earlier defensive lapse but the Urawa Reds midfielder and Nakazawa were again culpable as the Saudis made it 3-2 four minutes later.

Malek Maaz took possession on the left side of the penalty box and easily skipped past the Japanese duo before unleashing a powerful drive beyond Kawaguchi.

Japan struggled to break down the Saudis but came within a lick of paint to drawing level with nine minutes left to play as substitute Naotake Hanyu, a 75th minute replacement for Endo, sending a thunderous long range drive crashing off the cross bar.

The victory helped the Saudis avenge their 1-0 defeat to the Japanese in the 1992 and 2000 Asian Cup finals and set-up a showdown in Jakarta with Iraq after Jorvan Vieira's side defeated Korea Republic 4-3 on penalties following their goalless draw in the other semi-final played earlier in Kuala Lumpur.

Iraq through to final

2007-07-25T12:51:00.000-07:00

KUALA LUMPUR – Iraq claimed a place in the AFC Asian Cup final for the first time ever after outlasting Korea Republic 4-3 in a penalty shootout at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Wednesday evening.

After a physical encounter which finished goalless, the Middle Eastern side prevailed in the spot kick lottery as goalkeeper Noor Sabri tipped aside Yeom Ki-hun’s spot kick and Kim Jung-woo hit the post with his side’s final attempt.

The Iraqis will face either Japan or Saudi Arabia in the final in Jakarta on Sunday, while the Koreans will be left to rue yet another missed opportunity as their title drought of 47 years continues.

Korea coach Pim Verbeek made two changes from his side’s quarter-final win against Iran with Cho Jae-jin replacing Lee Dong-gook at centre forward and Choi Sung-kuk coming in for Kim Jung-woo on the left of midfield, while Iraq coach Jorvan Vieira made only one alteration from the 2-0 win over Vietnam as Qusai Munir replaced Haitham Kadhim in midfield.

The heavy conditions caused by incessant rain didn’t make for good football in a scrappy and goalless first half.

The first real chance fell to the Iraqis on 16 minutes as the ball broke in the Korean box to Younis Mahmoud, who arrived late yard box and fired a half-volley into the side netting.

The Koreans should have been awarded a free kick on the edge of the Iraq box midway through the half after Jassim Mohammed pulled down Lee Chun-soo but Kuwaiti referee Saad Al Fadhli allowed play to go on and Cho Jae-jin fired in a weak shot that gave goalkeeper Noor Sabri no problems

Iraq then went close when Haidar Abdul Amer’s cross from the right on 28 minutes flew just in front of a completely unmarked Karrar Jassim.

Mahmoud then had another chance to increase his tally for the tournament in the 39th minute when he controlled Hawar Mohammed’s through pass on the turn and fired a left-footed shot across the body of goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae, just wide of the far post.

Two minutes before the break, Choi Sung-kuk’s free-kick from the right of the Iraq box was punched away by Sabri just in front of a flying Cho Jae-jin.

The action picked up after the break with the best of the early chances falling to Lee Chun-soo whose shot on the turn in the 48th minute flew just wide

Basem Abbas was shown the game’s first yellow card in the 59th minute for a sliding challenge on Yeom Ki-hun and from the resulting free-kick, taken by Yeom, Kim Jin-kyu headed over.

The Iraqis received a gilt-edge opportunity on 62 minutes when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Korean box after Karrar Jassim tumbled over under a challenge from Kim Jung-woo. Nashat Akram fired in a low shot that ricocheted off the foot of Hawar Mohammed but flew straight into the grateful arms of Lee Woon-jae.

Yeom’s left-footed free kick on 66 minutes forced Sabri to scramble the ball off his goalline, and the left winger’s corner kick two minutes later was met by Kim Jin-kyu, whose goal-bound header was deflected wide.

At the other end, Mahdi Karim’s low shot from the right of the Korean box crept between the legs of Younis Mahmoud and rolled just wide of the far post.

As both teams continued to create chances, Lee Chun-soo fired a volley wide while Hawar Mohammed rose in the Korean box to send a header just off target.

Deep into stoppage time, the Koreans were awarded a free-kick 30 metres from goal but with everyone anticipating a shot by Lee Chun-soo, it was Yeom Ki-hun instead who fired the ball into the wall before putting the rebound straight at Noor Sabri.

Extra time was called for Once again at Bukit Jalil and after a cagey opening, the Koreans nearly broke the deadlock in the 95th minute when Lee Dong-gook’s flick on released Lee Chun-soo who rifled in a low shot from 20 metres which forced a good diving save out of Sabri.

Only the width of the post prevented the Iraqis from going ahead near the end of the first extra period of extra time as Mahdi Karim’s cross from the right was misjudged by Lee Woon-jae and was met by Hawar Mohammed whose shot hit the left upright before being hacked off the line by Kim Jin-kyu.

In the second period of extra time, Lee Chun-soo sent a free kick from the right edge of the box just over the crossbar while Hawar Mohammed fired a shot across the face of goal with the Korean defence standing and watching.

As penalties loomed, a header off a Mahdi Karim corner flew straight at Lee Woon-jae before Lee Dong-gook squandered the final attempt of the game, firing high over the crossbar from 20 metres.

The first six penalties of the shootout were converted before Sabri tipped Yeom’s poorly-taken attempt around the post.

Ahmed Mnajed then converted before Kim Jung-woo’s final attempt for the Koreans hit the right post, sending the Iraqis through to their first ever Asian Cup final.

Saudis down resilient Uzbekistan

2007-07-22T13:10:00.000-07:00

JAKARTA – Saudi Arabia continued to bury the demons of their disappointing AFC Asian Cup showing in China three years ago by progressing to the semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Uzbekistan on Sunday evening.

Helio Anjos’ team will now meet the defending champions in Hanoi in the semi-finals in a repeat of the 2000 final, when Japan secured a second Asian title with a 1-0 in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

Goals from Yasser Al Qahtani – his third of the competition – and substitute Ahmed Al Mousa took the Saudis through, although they had an anxious last 10 minutes when Pavel Solomin pulled one back in the 81st minute.

Alexander Geynrikh hit the post two minutes later as the Saudis survived by the skin of their teeth against an Uzbek side that hit the woodwork on a total of five occasions throughout the 90 minutes.

The Saudis took the lead in only the third minute when Abdulrahman Al Qahtani burst down the left before cutting his cross into the Uzbek penalty area. Goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov parried the ball away from goal, but only as far as Yasser Al Qahtani, who slotted home from 12 yards out.

Just two minutes later Uzbekistan almost snatched an equaliser when Server Djeparov smashed his effort from the edge of the penalty area but, with Yasser Al Mosailem well beaten, the ball came back off the Saudi keeper’s left upright.

The brisk opening continued in the 11th minute when Nesterov pulled off a fine save from Saad Khariri, the Al Ittihad midfielder flicking Abdulrahman Al Qahtani’s free kick towards goal with his head.

Uzbekistan captain Maksim Shatskikh caused problems throughout the opening period and 19 minutes into the game he tried his luck from distance, only for Walid Abdrabh Jahdali to deflect the shot wide via the post.

Three minutes later the Uzbeks were to be frustrated again, this time as Aziz Ibragimov steered Djeparov’s corner wide. But in the 28th minute Rauf Inileyev’s side thought they had finally pulled level.

Djeparov’s free kick was saved by Al Mosailem, and Shatskikh fired high into the net on the rebound. However, the assistant referee ruled the effort out for offside.

Yasser Al Qahtani almost doubled Saudi Arabia's lead in the 31st minute only to pull his shot wide while Malek Maaz’s header was also just off target three minutes later.

An end-to-end half finished with Vitaly Denisov firing a powerful shot from the left across the face of goal, narrowly missing the far post.

The Uzbeks continued their quest for the equaliser within four minutes of the restart when Djeparov’s cross was met by Ibragimov, but his downward header came back off the woodwork.

But as they became increasingly desperate, the gaps started to appear at the back. Inileyev’s side had two warnings – from Taisser Al Jassam and Al Mousa – in the minutes before the Saudis doubled their advantage.

Al Mousa started and finished the move that ultimately won the game for the Saudis, laying the ball off to Khaled Aziz, who found Yasser Al Qahtani and his perfect pass split the Uzbek defence and Al Mousa finished in style with 15 minutes to go.

Solomin, however, finally found the back of the net for the Uzbeks six minutes later when he bundled the ball over the line after Hayrulla Karimov's header had hit the crossbar and Geynrikh thought he had done enough to take the game into extra-time only for his right-foot shot to come back off the frame of the goal.

Iran pay penalty as Korea progress

2007-07-22T13:09:00.000-07:00

KUALA LUMPUR - Iran’s hopes of a first AFC Asian Cup title in 31 years were dashed on Sunday evening after Team Melli were beaten by Korea Republic in a tense penalty shootout at a rainy Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

The match went to penalties after a lively and physical quarter-final encounter between two familiar foes had finished goalless and goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae emerged as the hero for the Taeguk Warriors, stopping attempts by Mehdi Mahdavikia and Rasoul Khatibi to give his side a 4-2 victory.

Korea, who face Iraq in the semi-finals at the same venue on Wednesday, avenged a 4-3 defeat suffered to the Iranians at the same stage in China three years ago.

The two teams had also met in the quarter-finals of the previous two Asian Cups with the Koreans winning 2-1 in Lebanon in 2000 and Iran scoring a 6-2 win in the United Arab Emirates in 1996.

Korea coach Pim Verbeek made two changes from the side that beat Indonesia 1-0 with forwards Lee Dong-gook and Yeom Ki-hun replacing Cho Jae-jin and Choi Sung-kuk.

Meanwhile, Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei made three alterations from the side which beat Malaysia 2-0 with Rasoul Khatibi, Mehrzad Madanchi and Mohammed Nosrati replacing Reza Enayati, Eman Mobali and Ferydoon Zandi.

The Bukit Jalil Stadium was far from full for the clash between two superpowers of Asian football but the two sets of supporters created a rousing atmosphere that was mirrored on the pitch by robust play from both sides in the early exchanges.

The Koreans had the first real opening in the sixth minutes when they were awarded a free kick for Mohammed Nosrati’s challenge on Yeom Ki-hun but dead ball specialist Lee Chun-soo failed to take advantage, firing his effort from 20 metres over the crossbar.

The Koreans did much of the early probing but their high defensive line was nearly caught out on two occasions, Khatibi flagged offside both times as he looked to burst clear from midfield.

Yeom Ki-hun’s strong running caused plenty of problems for the Iranians and he very nearly forced an opening on 23 minutes when he made a mazy run through the heart of the Team Melli defence only to stumble on the soggy pitch as he closed in on goal.

A minute later, goalkeeper Hassan Roudbarian had to dive low to his left to keep out a low shot by Kim Sang-sik which took a slight nick off Lee Chun-soo on the edge of the Iran box.

Iran were struggling to contain the pace of the Koreans but Mehdi Mahdvikia almost caught out the east Asians with a quick break on the half-hour, turning Kim Chi-woo inside the Korean box before dragging his attempt wide.

As the half came to a close, it was the Iranians who enjoyed the best chances, with Ali Karimi denied by the feet of Lee Woon-jae on 42 minutes after receiving a neat pass from Vahid Hashemian, while Mahdavikia saw his goal-bound shot blocked by Kim Jin-kyu in the six-yard box.

Lee Woon-jae was called into action once again early in the second half, punching clear under challenge from Hashemian on the edge of his six-yard box.

On the hour, the Koreans nearly broke the deadlock when Yeom Ki-hun gathered the ball on the edge of the Iranian box after Nosrati had missed a header. The Jeonbuk Motors failed to connect cleanly but his shot bounced dangerously towards goal, forcing Roudbarian to desperately palm the ball aside.

The cut and thrust continued with Cho Jae-jin heading over after Kim Chi-woo had crossed from the left byline.

Khatibi nearly punished hesitant goalkeeping by Lee Woon-jae midway through the second half, as he beat the Korean skipper to a long ball played down the left flank only to be taken out by a crunching tackle by Oh Beom-seok, who received a yellow card for his troubles.

For all of the endeavour of the two teams, there were few clear-cut chances in the second half until the closing minutes when Javad Nekounam fired a fierce drive from 30 metres straight at Lee Woon-jae before Zandi put in a low cross from the left flank to fellow substitute Enayati, who put his shot wide at the far post.

For the second time in this year’s Asian Cup, extra-time was required but there were precious few chances in the extra frames with the Koreans going close on 99 minute when Choi Sung-kuk’s corner kick was flicked across goal by Kang Min-soo.

Nekounam then squandered an opening right before the teams changed ends, firing wide from the edge of the box after receiving an excellent layoff from Karimi.

Mahdavikia forced Lee Woon-jae into a diving stop early in the second extra period but with both sides tiring on the heavy pitch, a penalty shootout became almost inevitable.

Iran brought on goalkeeper Vahid Taleblou in place of Roudbarian in the dying seconds for the shootout and his lanky frame kept out Kim Do-heon’s third attempt for the Koreans.

However, Lee Woon-jae kept out attempts by Mahdavikia and Khatibi, allowing Kim Jung-woo to roll home the winning kick, sending Korea through to a last four meeting with Iraq.

Younis double takes Iraq to final four

2007-07-21T09:20:00.001-07:00

BANGKOK – Two goals from skipper Younis Mahmoud saw Iraq defeat Vietnam 2-0 in the AFC Asian Cup quarter-finals at the Rajamangala Stadium on Saturday as the West Asian nation reached the final four of the continent’s premier competition for the first time since 1976.

Mahmoud opened the scoring with just two minutes gone but Vietnam rallied and kept the Iraqis at bay until the Al Gharafa striker curled home a 64th minute free-kick to seal the win.

Iraq coach Jorvan Vieira was without the suspended Qusay Muneer and fellow midfielder Saleh Sadir while defender Khaldoun Ibrahim dropped to the bench. Haitham Kadhim and Karrar Jassim Mohammed came into midfield and Haidar Abdul Amer started in place of the Iran-based stopper.

After going down 4-1 to Japan in their final group match Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl opted to start with two up-front as Binh Duong dangerman Nguyen Anh Duc came in for midfielder Phan Van Tai Em, who didn’t make the trip to Bangkok due to his wedding ceremony. Midfielder Phung Cong Minh came in for Nguyen Minh Chuyen while Chau Phong Hoa replaced Phung Van Nhien in defence.

Riedl had stated that his team were the underdogs and any hopes that Vietnam would cause an upset suffered a massive blow within 90 seconds when Mahmoud put Iraq one up with his second goal of the tournament, heading home a Nashat Akram free-kick curled in from the left.

Vietnam struggled to find a foothold and didn’t create anything until the 18th minute when Le Cong Vinh’s shot was blocked for a corner before the Song Lam Nghe Anh striker tested Noor Sabri a minute later with a long-range shot that was taken comfortably by the Iraq keeper.

In the 32nd minute Iraq were forced into making a substitution with Ahmad Abid Ali replacing Haitham Kadhim, who never fully recovered from a crunching tackle from Cong Minh four minutes earlier, which earned the combative 21-year-old the first yellow card of the match.

On the stroke of half-time Vietnam came close to drawing level when Nguyen Vu Phong burst through the centre and played a one-two with Phong Hoa but the Binh Duong winger’s drive across the area was cleared by substitute Ahmad Abid Ali before Cong Vinh could knock the ball home from close range.

Five minutes after the interval Ali Hussein Rehema was fortunate to escape a booking when he pulled down Cong Vinh and the Iraqis escaped further punishment when Noor Sabri palmed clear the resulting free-kick swung in by Vu Phong.

Iraq doubled their advantage in the 64th minute and again it came courtesy of Mahmoud as the 2006/07 Qatar League top scorer exquisitely swept home a free-kick, awarded after a foul on Karrar Jassim.

Mahmoud almost completed his hat-trick in the 78th minute but his downward header following Mahdi Karim’s cross from the right was kept out well by Duong Hong Son and the man of the match had to be content with taking his tournament tally to three.

Iraq, who bowed out of the last three Asian Cups at the quarter-final stage, head to Kuala Lumpur to face either neighbours Iran or Korea Republic in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

Kawaguchi the hero as Japan progress

2007-07-21T09:17:00.001-07:00

HANOI - Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi was the hero for defending champions Japan as they eliminated Australia 4-3 in a penalty shootout to progress to the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup.

Kawaguchi saved from both Harry Kewell and Lucas Neill as Japan’s quest for a third successive Asian Cup title stayed alive with Yuji Nakazawa scored the winning penalty emphatically past Mark Schwarzer.

The Japanese rekindled memories of their last appearance in the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup, when they knocked out Jordan in similar fashion before going on to win the title. Ivica Osim's side will now take on either Saudi Arabia or Uzbekistan in the semi-final next Wednesday in Hanoi.

It was a brave performance, though, from the Australians who played the entire extra-time period with just 10 men after Vince Grella was sent off 14 minutes from the end of normal time.

The score at that stage was 1-1 after John Aloisi’s 70th minute opener was cancelled out less than two minutes later when Naohiro Takahara struck from close range.

Aloisi scored for the Socceroos with just 20 minutes to go when he pushed home a corner from substitute Kewell after the ball had somehow managed to cross the six-yard box untouched.

But Australia’s lead lasted less than two minutes when Takahara capitalised on Mark Milligan’s miss-hit clearance before turning and firing past Schwarzer, via the goalkeeper’s right post.

Japan’s hopes of progressing improved further as time was running out when referee Kuwaiti Saad Khameel Al Fadhli sent midfielder Grella off when he hit Takahara in the face with a flailing arm as both went up for a header, but Osim’s team were unable to take full advantage.

Not surprisingly, the champions controlled possession but they lacked the creativity to breach the tightly packed Australian defence.

The game went into extra-time but the Australians put up a dogged defence and successfully kept the Japanese at bay, even though there was a scare for the Socceroos with just seconds remaining.

A lofted cross into the penalty area was met by Shunsuke Nakamura’s flying volley, but Schwarzer’s reflex save to his right kept the ball out and took the game into a penalty shootout.

Kawaguchi guessed correctly to deny Kewell and Neill while Nakamura and Yasuhito Endo converted successfully before Tim Cahill put Australia on the board.

Yuichi Komano made it 3-1 and Nicky Carle kept Australia alive with his spot kick. The pressure increased on Japan when Takahara put his effort over the bar and when David Carney scored that left Nakazawa to go head-to-head with Schwarzer.

The veteran defender, however, was equal to the task to send Japan into the semi-finals once again.

Goals of match and Penalties are on our Latest Videos Page

Uzbeks advance as China crash out

2007-07-18T11:56:00.001-07:00

SHAH ALAM – Uzbekistan secured a quarter-final meeting with Saudi Arabia in the AFC Asian Cup after second half goals from Maksim Shatskikh, Timur Kapadze and Alexander Geynrikh lifted the central Asian side to a 3-0 win over China at Shah Alam Stadium on Wednesday.

Shatskikh fired the Uzbeks ahead after 72 minutes, Kapadze added a second with four minutes remaining before Geynrikh netted the final goal deep into injury time as Rauf Inileyev’s side claimed second place in Group C behind Iran.

The Uzbeks will travel to Jakarta to face the Saudis in the last eight on Sunday, while China missed out on the knockout stage of the Asian Cup for the first time since 1980.

China only needed a draw to progress and coach Zhu Guanghu made four changes to the side which drew 2-2 with Iran as Yang Jun replaced the injured Li Leilei in goal, Dong Fangzhou taking over from Wang Dong on the right wide and Du Wei and Zhang Shuai replaced suspended duo Li Weifeng and captain Zhang Zhi.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan coach Inileyev made three alterations from their 5-0 win over Malaysia as Aziz Haydarov, Aziz Ibragimov and Anvar Gafurov replaced Victor Karpenko, Anzur Ismailov and the suspended Islom Inomov.

Both teams started cautiously on the slick pitch at Shah Alam, which had been drenched by an earlier thunderstorm, and it was China that created the first chance after three minutes as Mao Jianqing’s low cross from the left flank was turned wide by Shao Jiayi.

Uzbekistan needed a win to progress and they threatened to open the scoring after 15 minutes when a shot from Server Djeparov on the right side of the China box nicked off Du Wei and fell into the grateful arms of Yang Jun.

Six minutes later, Zhou Haibin saw his well-struck long range free-kick turned over the Uzbek crossbar by goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov.

Yang Jun, playing in his first match of the tournament, got good cover from his defence in the opening half as Sun Xiang put in a good sliding challenge to prevent Timur Kapadze from taking a shot inside the six-yard area after 31 minutes, while Du Wei blocked a close-range effort by Maksim Shatskikh two minutes later.

Yang was called into action as the half closed as the custodian went down on one knee to stop a Shatskikh snap shot from just outside the area and then finding himself in the right position again to gather Djeparov’s curling effort just before the interval.

Striker Geynrikh came on at half-time for Ulugbek Bakaev as Inileyev looked to inject more urgency into his side and the China defence were kept on their toes in the early minutes of the second half as Sun Xiang and Zhang Yaokun alertly foiled Shatskikh’s attempts to force an opening.

Shao Jiayi twice tested Nesterov with a low shot from the edge of area six minutes before the hour mark and a free-kick from just outside the area on the hour but the Uzbek keeper was equal to the task on both occasions, diving low to turn aside both efforts.

It was the desperate Uzbeks who exerted much of the pressure and Shatskikh went close on four minutes later when his shot from the right of the China box fizzed across the face of Yang Jun’s goal.

Two minutes later, China went within inches of taking the lead as Zhang Shuai’s low cross from the right was met by an unmarked Wang Dong who rocked the underside of the crossbar from close range.

That miss would prove costly as the Uzbeks made the breakthrough with 18 minutes remaining as substitute Victor Karpenko curled in a free-kick into the area that was met by a glancing header from Shatskikh.

Yang Jun made a good stop on his line but the Uzbek striker followed up on his effort, crashing the ball into the back of the net to give the central Asians a precious lead.

The Uzbeks very nearly sealed the win two minutes later when Djeparov laid the ball off to an advancing Anzur Ismailov, who crashed his shot wide from the right edge of the box before Shatskikh put the ball into the net again shortly afterwards but was flagged offside.

However, the Uzbeks would claim a second four minutes from time when Karpenko curled in another free-kick that was just missed by the head of Shatskikh but met by Kapadze, who turned the ball past a helpless Yang.

And deep into injury time, Geynrikh piled further misery on China as he fired past Yang on the rebound after his initial free-kick had been blocked by the wall.

Ghalenoei pleased to top group

2007-07-18T11:55:00.001-07:00

KUALA LUMPUR - In the wake of Iran’s 2-0 defeat of co-hosts Malaysia on Wednesday night, Team Melli coach Amir Ghalenoei revealed that his side were happy to have achieved their aim of finishing top of a strong Group C.

A first half penalty from Javad Nekounam coupled with a late Andranik Teymourian goal, helped Iran seal a less than comfortable victory at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, a result that nevertheless sets up a mouth-watering last eight clash with Korea Republic in Kuala Lumpur.

Ghalenoei said: “I think that today’s game was a very good one for our team. Even though we failed to convert too many of the chances we created, to finish top of the group with seven points, especially considering how tough this group was, is very good indeed.

“This result means that we can now stay in Malaysia and we are happy about that,” added the former Eteghlal boss.

Ghalenoei insisted that whilst Iran may have struggled to overcome opponent who had been berated for their poor performances, he saw plenty of positives in the albeit slender victory.

He added: “As you saw our system in this match was a very attacking one. I have to say that our forwards did well even though they missed some chances. In general though I am very pleased with my players tonight - even the strikers.

“Our attacking system has been working very well and I think that in the game against Malaysia we had good co-ordination and we were strong down the wings. Malaysia defended very deep so I am pleased with how my team performed.”

Following a 2-1 defeat of Uzbekistan and a 2-2 draw with China, Iran’s subsequent pole position finish has set up a mouth-watering last eight clash with Korea Republic, opponents that Ghalenoei preferred not to dwell on.

“We will have to look at the videotapes of Korea’s games and, when we have done that, we can work on how to attack some of their weaknesses.

“I really don’t want to say too much about that at the moment but what I will say is that we are not afraid of our quarter-final opponents.”

The 43-year-old also took time out to question why Malaysia had not been equally defence minded in the two games which saw them beaten heavily.

“I think that if Malaysia had played the same way in the two games against Uzbekistan and China in which they were beaten, they might have go some points. They should have used the same system that they used against us.”

Koreans edge into quarters

2007-07-18T11:54:00.000-07:00

JAKARTA – Korea Republic booked their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup, downing co-hosts Indonesia 1-0 at a sold-out Gelora Bung Karno Stadium to squeeze into the last eight.

Saudi Arabia’s comfortable 4-0 win over Bahrain coupled with the victory over the Indonesians means Pim Verbeek’s team stay alive in the competition despite only picking up four points in their three Group D games.

The Koreans take second place in the group and will now face the winners of Group C at Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

Kim Jung-woo scored the only goal of the game when his shot from the edge of the area was deflected past Indonesian goalkeeper Markus Rihihina in the 34th minute, after Verbeek had made wholesale changes to his starting line-up

The Dutchman dropped six of the players who lost to Bahrain in the previous game, including Middlesbrough striker Lee Dong-gook and Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Lee Ho.

Indonesia, too, made changes with Astaman Ponaryo recovering from injury to return as captain while Yandri Pitoy made way between the posts for Markus Rihihina.

Despite both sides needing a win to be sure of a place in the knockout phase, the game started cautiously with Lee Chun-soo hitting his sixth minute free kick straight at Markus while three minutes later the Koreans could have claimed the opener.

Markus did well to parry Cho Jae-jin’s shot only for Son Dae-ho to push his attempt across the face of goal.

The Indonesians always looked dangerous on the break, though, and Elie Aiboy was a constant menace in the opening 45 minutes.

Just before the half-hour mark, the Arema Malang man shot just over the bar from the edge of the area after a searing run into the Korean half by Firman Utina had the visitors panicking.

But with 11 minutes to go to the break, the Koreans went in front. Lee Chun-soo’s run across the Indonesian penalty area was followed by a pass to Kim Jung-woo and his right-foot shot was helped past Markus by the finest of deflections off defender Muhammad Ridwan.

With seconds remaining in the half, Indonesia could have pulled level but Elie’s run into the penalty area ended with a shot across the face of goal rather than Lee Woon-jae picking it out of the net.

As the game wore on, the Koreans looked the more likely to strike again, but their problems in front of goal continued.

Nine minutes after the restart Kang Min-soo should have made it 2-0 when Cho Jae-jin’s header across the six-yard box gave him the simplest of opportunities, only for his attempt to cannon off the head of Richardo Salampessy.

Fourteen minutes later Kim Jung-woo looked odds on to score his second of the night when Lee Chun-soo set him up to score 12 yards from goal, but instead the Nagoya Grampus Eight midfielder’s shot was saved by Markus.

The Koreans, however, managed to successful run down the clock, breaking the hearts of the 90,000 Indonesian fans and setting up a possible showdown with Iran in the last eight.

Super Al Jassam sends Saudi through

2007-07-18T11:53:00.001-07:00

PALEMBANG - A second half brace from Taisir Al Jassam steered Saudi Arabia to a 4-0 drubbing of Gulf neighbours Bahrain at the Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium in Palembang on Wednesday and a place in the quarter-finals of this year's AFC Asian Cup

The three-time Asian Cup champions built on a 2-0 lead by the end of the first half thanks to goals from Ahmed Al Mousa and Abdulrahman Al Qahtani before Al Jassam scored two goals in the 68th and 80th minutes as Saudi Arabia finished at the top of Group D standings.

Both coaches had only one change in their starting line-ups as Saudi Arabia coach Helio Dos Anjos introduced Taisir Al Jassam as a replacement for the suspended Khaled Aziz while the Czech coach of Bahrain Milan Macala replaced Mohammed Hubail by team skipper Talal Yusuf.

Bahrain had a powerful start to the match as they have controlled the early proceedings and they could have opened the scoring on seven minutes when Salman Isa sent Ismail Abdullatif clear but the 20-year-old striker could only shoot in the side netting of the Saudi goal.

Saudi Arabia started to get into the game gradually and their first chance fell for striker Malek Maaz in the 15th minute when he went into the area before shooting a powerful ball from the left flank but Bahrain goalkeeper Abdulrahman Abdulkarim blocked the ball.

However, the Saudis scored the opening goal three minutes later when a long ball edged Bahrain defender Abdullah Al Marzouqi who slipped inside the area and Saudi Arabia midfielder Al Mousa edged the Bahrain goalkeeper and scored in the empty goal on the left low corner.

Bahrain recovered from the goal as they controlled the midfield and they could have levelled in the 36th minute when Sayed Mohammed Adnan sent a cross to Isa who sent a curled ball on the far corner but Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Yasser Al Musailem cleared the ball for a corner.

One minute later, Saudi Arabia midfielder Abdulrahman Al Qahtani saw his powerful shot from the edge the area saved by Bahrain goalkeeper Abdulrahman Abdulkarim.

The last minutes of the first half saw quick play from both sides and Bahrain nearly equalised two minutes before the break when Sayed Mahmoud Jalal tested the Saudi goalkeeper with a long drive while Maaz nearly doubled Saudi Arabia advantage with a long chip which went wide after a quick counter attack in the first minute of stoppage time.

The Saudi's were not to be denied a 2-0 lead though after another quick play which saw Yasser Al Qahtani feeding Maaz on the left flank before sending a low cross to Abdulrahman Al Qahtani who tapped the ball in the empty net in the last seconds of the first period.

Bahrain started the second half brightly and they could have pulled a goal back eight minutes after the restart when Isa sent a cross from the right flank directly towards the goal and Saudi goalkeeper Al Musailem deflected the shot into the right upright before the ball was cleared by Saudi Arabia defenders.

The Saudis killed the game off in the 68th minute when they made it 3-0 as Maaz centred the ball to Taisir Al Jassam who fired a 30-yard drive which sailed into the top right corner of Abdulkarim's goal.

And Al Jassam scored his second goal on the night after a nice piece of play which started from Maaz to second half substitute Omar Al Ghamdi who sent the ball from the left flank to Al Jassam who made no mistake with 10 minutes remaining.

Three minutes before the end, Al Jassam nearly completed his hat-trick with a powerful drive from inside the area but the ball was cleared from the goal line by Sayed Mohammed Adnan.

Socceroos come good to advance

2007-07-16T08:29:00.000-07:00

BANGKOK (Pa Sport)– Mark Viduka scored twice in the final 10 minutes to seal a 4-0 win for Australia over Thailand and earn the Socceroos a place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup.

The result flattered Graham Arnold’s team after Thailand dominated the second half and had the chances to pull level after Michael Beauchamp had given the Australians the lead with a 21st minute header.

But it was Australia’s aerial prowess that won them the game with Viduka holding off the Thai defence to score the goal that effectively won the game 10 minutes from time before sealing the result with a header three minutes later.

Harry Kewell then completed the win when he slotted past Kosin Hathairatanakul in injury time.

Graham Arnold made four changes from the team that lost 3-1 to Iraq, with Kewell axed along with Patrick Kisnorbo and Brett Holman while Lucas Neill missed the game due to suspension.

As a result, Beauchamp and John Aloisi started, as did Sydney FC duo Mark Milligan and David Carney, and the Australians looked the better for the changes.

With the rain falling incessantly throughout the first 45 minutes, the Socceroos started the game at a higher tempo than they have in their previous two games and they dominated the early stages of the game.

It took the Australians 21 minutes to put themselves on the scoreboard when Luke Wilkshire sent his free kick into the Thai penalty area and Beauchamp was left unmarked to head past Kosin.

Suchao Nutnum could have responded just two minutes later for the Thais only for his long-range shot to fly straight at Mark Schwarzer while moments later Suree Sukha sent in a searing low cross that Kiatisuk Senamuang only just failed to direct into the Australian goal.

Needing a draw to progress to the knockout phase, the Thais pushed for the equaliser and dominated the second period, although Wilkshire went close to adding a second just seconds after the restart.

Suree continued to cause problems down the right for Thailand while Tawan Sripan and Kiatisuk worked tirelessly in attack, and it was the former Hudderfield Town man who set up substitute Pipat Thonkanya with a back-heel into the area, only for Pipat to shoot straight at Schwarzer.

Kewell came off the bench and headed over the bar in the 68th minute before another long range effort from Suchao blistered the paint of Schwarzer’s left post. Datsakorn Thonglao tried his luck from distance soon after, only for the Middlesbrough goalkeeper to hold onto the shot.

With 10 minutes remaining and with the Thais pushing hard for the equaliser, Viduka killed off the game.

His first came when Tim Cahill sent in his cross from the left and Viduka controlled the ball on his chest before holding off the Thai defence and firing past Kosin.

Three minutes later Cahill and Viduka linked up again, with the Everton man crossing from the left this time to allow the powerfully built striker to head home.

And Kewell completed the scoring right at the end when he ran in unopposed on Kosin before sliding the ball to the right of the keeper.

Iraq through after drab draw

2007-07-16T08:28:00.001-07:00

BANGKOK (Pa Sport) – Iraq reached the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup for the fourth successive tournament after their goalless draw with Gulf rivals Oman at the Supachalasai Stadium on Monday coupled with Australia’s 4-0 win over hosts Thailand saw Jorvan Vieira’s side finish top of Group A.

It wasn’t Iraq’s best performance in the competition but the point was enough to ensure that the Iraqis stay in Bangkok for and will face Vietnam, who finished second in Group B despite going down 4-1 to Japan earlier on Monday while Australia will take on the defending champions after their 4-0 win over hosts Thailand took them through to the last eight as Group A runners-up.

Oman, needing to win to have any chance of reaching the last eight, had the first chance of the match when Badar Mubarak played the ball through to Ismail Al Ajmi in space near the box but a combination of the slickness of the rain-soaked pitch and the alertness of Noor Sabri saw the Iraq keeper safely take possession.

Three minutes later Badar fired a low drive to the keeper’s right but Sabri got down well to save the effort before the Oman forward again released Al Ajmi but again Sabri was equal to the task.

The Iran-based keeper did give the pocket of Iraqi fans a minor scare when his momentum caused him to spill the ball outside of the area, although he recovered in ample time to clear the danger.

It was all Oman in the opening 20 minutes and but for a couple of unproductive corners Iraq struggled to find the attacking verve that saw them outclass Australia 3-1 in their previous Group A fixture.

With five minutes left to play Mahdi Karim’s acrobatic overhead set Iraq skipper Younis Mahmoud and Ali Al Habsi off on a race for the ball which the Bolton Wanderers keeper won with a timely header clear from outside his area.

Immediately after Fawzi Basheer should have opened the scoring after being set-up by Badar – easily the best player of a disappointing first half – but the midfield dynamo’s close-range angled shot was too tame to trouble Noor.

Oman pressed forward in the second half looking for the goal that would keep their Asian Cup dream alive but it was the Iraqis who had the first chance 15 minutes after the restart.

Mahdi Karim’s trickery took him past Issam Fayel allowing the midfielder to whip in a cross for Younis but the Iraq skipper, under pressure from two Oman defenders, headed wide.

The second half was punctuated by numerous free-kicks and from one of these Ahmed Hadid almost gave Oman a 62nd minute lead, but his curling effort was tipped over the bar by Noor.

Three minutes later Younis almost set up an unmarked Karrar Jassim, who came on at the end of the first half for the injured Hawar Mulla Mohammed, but the 2006/07 Qatar League’s top scorer under hit his square pass and the danger was cleared.

With ten minutes left to play Younis again had the chance to break the deadlock but his low strike was comfortably saved by Al Habsi.

Younis Al Mushaifri almost ensured Oman went out on a winning note but the substitute’s header three minutes from full-time flashed wide of Noor’s post before Imad Ali, one of a number of Omani players that Iraq coach Vieira groomed when the Brazilian was at the helm of the Gulf sultanate’s under 20s, saw a stoppage-time shot saved by Noor.

Emirates end Qatar's quarters dream

2007-07-16T08:26:00.000-07:00

HO CHI MINH CITY (Pa Sport) – Saeed Alkas’ second half header and a stoppage time strike from Faisal Khalil robbed Qatar of a place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup as the United Arab Emirates came from behind to earn a 2-1 win in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday.

Sebastian Quintana’s first half penalty, coupled with Japan’s 4-1 demolition of Vietnam in Hanoi, looked to have handed Dzemaludin Musovic’s Asian Games gold medallists the win they needed to advance.

But Al Sharjah frontman Alkas headed home just before the hour mark and Khalil tapped home from close range in added time after Ismail Matar’s long range free-kick was only parried by Mohamed Saqr to hand the UAE their first points of the group stage.

The result means Qatar are eliminated and Vietnam qualify for the quarter-finals.

Qatar coach Musovic handed Hussain Yasser an instant recall after the Al Rayyan frontman missed the draw with Vietnam through suspension as the Bosnian made four changes to his side from the draw with the co-hosts.

UAE coach Bruno Metsu was without the services of goalkeeper Majed Nasser, Basheer Saeed and Haidar Alo Ali through suspension and also made five other changes from the 3-1 defeat by defending champions Japan, which ended their hopes of progressing.

Roared on my a vocal band of Vietnamese supporters inside the Army Stadium, the UAE dominated early possession while Qatar’s Majdi Siddiq saw his rising effort from the edge of the area turned over the crossbar from Waleed Salem

Qatar danger man Quintana had a goal ruled out for offside after finding himself in space behind a high defensive line on a rare foray into opposition territory.

Metsu’s side continued to dominate as a surging Ahmed Mubarak sent a curling effort narrowly wide from just outside the area, while Alkas forced Qatar custodian Saqr into a full length diving save 12 minutes before the break after the veteran frontman had burst into the area and fired low towards the bottom corner.

Qatar grabbed what appeared to be the crucial goal three minutes before the break as Quintana beat the UAE offside trap on the right, twisted and turned inside the area to break clear of two defenders, but as the Uruguayan-striker cut in towards goal he was upended by Abdulrahman.

Quintana picked himself up and at the second attempt following encroachment from his team-mates, sent Salem the wrong way from the spot to grab his third goal of the tournament.

UAE captain Abdulraheem Juma saw his low shot across the face of goal turned away by Saqr 12 minutes into the second half as the UAE stepped up the pressure for an equaliser after the break.

Their efforts paid off a minute before the hour mark as Mubarak floated a ball into the Qatar area for Alkas to send a looping header over Saqr to send the largely Vietnamese crowd inside the Army Stadium into raptures.

A host of changes for both sides followed but Qatar failed to test Salem as the UAE defence stood firm, with Yasser’s blocked shot from the edge of the area with four minutes remaining the only real attacking threat from Musovic’s men.

Matar had only moments earlier sent a long range free-kick wide before his second speculative attempt paid off as Saqr parried the well-struck effort into the path of the onrushing Khalil, who had the simplest of task to snatch all three points with a close range header.

Classy Japan hammer Vietnam

2007-07-16T07:55:00.000-07:00

HANOI (PA Sport) – Defending champions Japan remained on course for a third straight AFC Asian Cup title and fourth overall as they recovered from a early deficit to outclass Vietnam 4-1 at My Dinh National Stadium on Monday.

With the victory, Japan finished top of Group B with seven points but they will be joined in the last eight by Vietnam, who finished second in the group on four points after United Arab Emirates beat Gulf rivals Qatar 2-1 in a simultaneous match at Ho Chi Minh City.

The co-hosts took a shock lead when Keita Suzuki scored an early own goal but Seichiro Maki chested in the equaliser shortly afterwards before Yasuhito Endo fired Japan in front with a free-kick to put the Japanese 2-1 up at the break.

Shunsuke Nakamura extended Japan’s advantage in the 53rd minute before Maki netted his second of the game six minutes later.

Japan coach Ivica Osim made no changes to the team that defeated United Arab Emiates 3-1 on Friday while Vietnam boss Alfred Riedl made only one alteration from last Thursday's 1-1 draw with Qatar with midfielder Nguyen Minh Chuyen replacing forward Phan Thanh Binh.

It meant a more defensive formation for the co-hosts but they stunned the defending champions in the eighth minute when Le Cong Vinh’s low corner from the left deflected off Keita Suzuki, who was under pressure from Phan Van Tai Em, and flew into the Japanese net at Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi’s near post.

But Japan responded quickly and they levelled the score in the 12th minute when Shunsuke Nakamura beat Nguyen Huy Hoang on the left flank before crossing for Maki to chest the ball into the net at the far post.

Backed by a noisy home crowd, Vietnam nearly retook the lead in the 19th minute when Nguyen Vu Phong fired a shot from 30 metres that fizzled narrowly wide of Kawaguchi’s right post.

Japan would take the lead though in the 32nd minute when they received a free kick on the edge of the Vietnam box for Huy Hoang needless sliding challenge on Naohiro Takahara.

Endo punished the home side by blasting the ball into the back of the net, giving goalkeeper Duong Hong Son no chance.

Vietnam nearly got back on level terms six minutes before the break when a diving Le Cong Vinh just failed to reach another driven corner by Minh Phuong.

But the Japanese would put the game away seven minutes into the second half when Endo laid of a pass to Shunsuke Nakamura, who struck an accurate right foot shot into the top left corner of the Vietnamese net from 20 metres.

Maki then added his second of the game in the 59th minute, heading home an Endo free-kick from the left after losing marker Vu Nhu Thanh.

Japan took off goalscoring heros Endo, Maki and Shunsuke Nakamura to rest them for the knockout stage but they continued to create the better chances with Takahara and Kengo Nakamura shooting wide before Nhu Thanh nearly turned Koki Mizuno’s cross into his own net.

The disappointed home fans would have reason to cheer though in the dying minutes when they learned that UAE had come from behind to Qatar to send Vietnam through to the last eight.

Koreans stunned by Abdullatif strike

2007-07-15T15:06:00.000-07:00

JAKARTA ( PA Sport) – Bahrain striker Ismail Abdullatif blew a massive hole in Korea Republic’s AFC Asian Cup hopes on Sunday evening when he scored the winner five minutes from time to leave the two-time champions’ quarter-final hopes in serious doubt after suffering a 2-1 defeat.

Abdullatif capitalised on slack defending from the Koreans to slam home his shot from just inside the penalty area, beating World Cup goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae low and to his left to give Milan Macala’s side the three points.

The win gave the Bahrainis their first points of the tournament after they lost their opening game to co-hosts Indonesia, who Korea must now beat in their final game on Wednesday to have any hope of progressing.

Bahrain, meanwhile, will meet Group D leaders Saudi Arabia in their final game and will need a win against their Gulf rivals to be sure of reaching the last eight.

However, Pim Verbeek’s side were fastest out of the blocks and within four minutes they had taken the lead thanks to the invention of Lee Chun-soo.

The former Numancia man’s free kick from the edge of the penalty area was blocked, but when the ball landed back at his feet he scooped it over the defence and into the path of Kim Do-heon, whose fine left-foot volley gave Abdulrahman Ahmed no chance in the Bahrain goal.

Kim’s goal took the early sting out of the game as the Koreans sought to control the tempo, and it was a tactic that largely paid off.

But with two minutes left in the half Bahrain were level as Abdulla Marzooqi pumped a free kick deep into the Korean penalty area and Salman Isa lashed a low, left foot shot to beat Lee Woon-jae at his near post.

Clearly affected by the equaliser, the Koreans came out at the start of the second half looking to regain the lead, going agonisingly close on several occasions.

Lee Dong-gook’s shot from outside the area flew just wide two minutes after the restart and seven minutes later he dragged another effort across the face of the goal.

But Korea’s best chances came in the 55th minute when Dong-gook saw his shot beat Ahmed only for defender Sayed Adnan Mohamed to block the goal-bound effort. The ball fell at the feet of Do-heon but his attempt was hacked away by Rashed Al Dosari.

With 15 minutes on the clock, Chun-soo was well placed to reclaim the lead for the Koreans when substitute Cho Jae-jin headed the ball into his path, but the Ulsan Hyundai man’s miss-kick caused Ahmed no problem.

However, as Korea pushed forward looking for the winner, the gaps started to appear in their defence and eventually Bahrain took advantage when substitute Talal Yusuf forced the ball through to Abdullatif and he made no mistake with a fine right-foot finish.

Late Al Harthi header stuns Indonesia

2007-07-14T16:25:00.000-07:00

JAKARTA (PA Sport) – Saad Al Harthi’s header three minutes into injury time gave Saudi Arabia a last-gasp 2-1 win over AFC Asian Cup co-hosts Indonesia on Saturday evening.

The second-half substitute headed home Abdulrahman Al Qahtani’s free kick to deny the home side what looked to be a well-earned draw while also putting the Saudis on course for a place in the quarter-finals.

The goal was a cruel blow for Ivan Kolev’s team, who looked like they had done enough in the last 20 minutes to earn a point and give their Bulgarian coach a fitting 50th birthday present.

Midfielder Elie Aiboy pulled Indonesia level in the 20th minute, cancelling out Yasser Al Qahtani’s 14th minute header in front of a vociferous capacity crowd at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, which included Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Indonesia, however, rode their luck – especially in the last 20 minutes – but it looked like they had done enough until Al Harthi headed home.

Indeed, the Saudis started the game in ruthless fashion, with Yasser Al Qahtani in inspirational form in the first 15 minutes and it was no surprise that the Al Hilal hit man should open the scoring.

The 24-year-old fashioned out Saudi’s first opportunity of the game in the 11th minute with a mesmerising run that left four Indonesian defenders trailing in his wake.

But while the move deserved a goal, Malek Maaz conspired to put his shot high over the bar from seven yards out after the ball had been cut back into his path.

Three minutes later, though, Al Qahtani took matters into his own hands and Saudi Arabia were ahead.

Ahmed Al Bahri’s pinpoint cross from the right set Al Qahtani up perfectly to out-jump the home defence and head low to Yandri Pitoy’s right to give the three-time champions the lead.

However, rather than capitulating, Indonesia – thanks to the backing of a largely partisan capacity crowd – fought back and within six minutes Kolev’s side were level.

Central midfielder Saud Khariri was caught in possession 40 yards from goal by Syamsul Bachi and he slid the ball through to Elie, who rounded Yasser Al Mosailem before equalising despite Khalid Al Mousa’s efforts to cover back.

Indonesia refused to be overawed by their more illustrious opponents, although as the game wore on the Saudis’ grew more and more dominant.

Abdulrahman Al Qahtani’s run into the home side’s penalty area six minutes after the restart should have resulted in a goal scoring opportunity for Maaz at the far post, but the midfielder chose to shoot and his attempted seared across the six-yard box.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, the Indonesian defence was prized open again, this time by Al Mousa who slalomed into the penalty area before cutting back to Maaz. His shot was blocked but the ball fell to Abdulrahman Al Qahtani, who was denied when Yandri parried his shot away.

Two minutes later Yandri was again on hand to save the Indonesians, diving to his right to hold on to Maaz’s towering header.

Indonesia’s desperate resistance continued as time wore on when a last-gasp tackle by Maman Abdurahman in the 70th minute denied Yasser Al Qahtani just as he was about to pull the trigger inside the penalty area.

Finally, though, the goal the Saudis deserved came when Al Hariri out-jumped the home defence to head high over Yandri’s outstretched arm.

Uzbeks trounce sorry Malaysia

2007-07-14T16:23:00.001-07:00

KUALA LUMPUR (PA Sport)- Maksim Shatskikh scored a brace as Uzbekistan kept alive their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup 2007 with a 5-0 demolition of Malaysia at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Saturday.

The central Asian side took advantage of sloppy defending by the co-hosts to race into a 3-0 lead by half-time through goals by Shatskikh and Timur Kapadze and a stoppage time penalty by Ulugbek Bakaev.

Server Djeparov rocked the crossbar in the second half before substitute Aziz Ibragimov and Shatskikh added late goals to seal an emphatic victory for the Uzbeks in the Group C clash.

Following contrasting opening defeats, both coaches rung the changes with four alterations apiece.

Shatskikh, who had missed Uzbekistan’s 2-1 defeat against Iran through suspension, replaced Pavel Solomin up front, goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov took over from Pavel Bugalo, Anzur Ismailov replaced Aziz Ibragimov in defence, and Victor Karpenko came in for the injured Aziz Haydarov.

Meanwhile, Malaysia coach Norizan Bakar brought in defenders V.Thirumurugan and K.Nanthakumar, attacking midfielder Mohammed Ivan Yusoff and Indra Putra Mahayuddin for Fauzie Nan, Fadzli Saari, Norhafiz Zamani Misbah and Akmal Rizal Rakhli as the co-hosts looked to bounce back from a 5-1 hammering against China.

However, the Malaysian defensive frailties that had been apparent against China were exposed once again in the 10th minute when the Uzbeks were awarded a free-kick following Rosdi Talib’s foul on Bakaev near the left touchline.

Djeparov swung in the kick which flew just over the head of a leaping Islom Inomov but dropped nicely for an unmarked Shatskikh, who stooped to head the bouncing ball past Azizon Kadir at the far post

Stung by the early setback, the home side came to life and enjoyed a good passage of play highlighted by Shahrulnizam Mustapha’s toe-poke from the edge of the box in the 20th minute which was deflected wide of Ignatiy Nesterov’s right post by an Uzbek defender.

However, Malaysia’s efforts to get back into the game would be completely undermined by another soft goal on the half-hour.

Following a giveaway by the Malaysians in their own half, Karpenko latched on to Timur Kapadze’s pass and surged into the box past half-hearted challenges by Khaironisam Sahabuddin Hussain and K.Nanthakumar before firing a rising shot past a helpless Azizon.

The home side continued to battle and went close to pulling a goal back when Hardi Jaafar’s free kick from 35 metres bounced in front of Nesterov forcing an awkward save from the Uzbek goalkeeper.

Hairuddin Omar also went close when he headed Shahrulnizam’s cross wide from 10 metres.

But any hopes that the hosts had of getting back into the match evaporated just before the half-time whistle when Azizon conceded a penalty for chopping down an advancing Bakaev.

The Uzbek striker picked himself up and confidently stroked the ball past the Malaysian keeper to give his side a three-goal advantage at the break.

Uzbekistan could have made it four early in the second half when Djeparov threaded a pass through to Shatskikh on the left of the Malaysian box, the Dynamo Kiev striker firing across Azizon and just wide of the far post.

Shatskikh then set up Ibragimov with a nice lay-off in the 56th minute but the substitute’s effort was deflected over the crossbar by a Malaysian defender.

Malaysia’s best chance of the half came in the 59th minute following a nice piece of skill by Indra Putra, who received the ball from Nor Farhan Muhammad and flicked the ball with the back of his heel past Hayrulla Karimov before shooting narrowly wide of the Uzbek goal.

Djeparov then rocked the cross bar with a shot from the edge of the box on 67 minutes.

On 79 minutes, Khaironnisam nearly atoned for his earlier defensive lapse as he burst into the box and delivered a dangerous low cross that deflected off Nesterov just past his left upright.

In the 82nd minute, Shatskikh released Alexander Geynrikh with a neat through ball but the substitute fired his effort wide.

But Uzbekistan’s fourth would finally arrive in the 85th minute when Pavel Solomin crossed from the right to an unmarked Ibragimov, who side-footed a volley past Azizon from 15 metres.

Shatskikh then added his second in the 89th minute, finishing from close range after a neat exchange of passes between Djeparov and Kapadze had carved apart the Malaysian defence.

Azizon prevented any further damage by tipping over a Solomin effort in stoppage time but the comprehensive defeat is only likely to add to the pressure on under-fire Malaysia coach Norizan Bakar, whose side are all but eliminated from the tournament.

Japan beat UAE with ease

2007-07-13T10:56:00.000-07:00

Persopress-Japan, who has won the last two Asian Cups, struggled in their opening game as they tied Qatar. This game was very important for them because Vietnam had 4 points and was leading the group. The match seemed pretty even in the first 20 minutes, and UAE even had the better chances, but Japan was able to take the lead in the 22nd minute after Takahara headed home Nakamura's cross. Japan doubled their lead after Takahara received the ball, turned, and fired the ball in the corner of the goal. This was Takahara's third goal, which means he is the leading goal scorer so far in the tournament. UAE looked like they were exhausted and it seemed like they wouldn't be able to come back in the game and things worsened in the 40th minute, when Endo was taken down in the box by the UAE goalie, giving Japan a penalty. Nakamura, who plays for Celtic and was Asian player of the year took care of the penalty, rifling the ball in the top corner. Japan dominated the 2nd half, passing the ball around and consuming time. This made the UAE players inpatient and it showed when Basher Saeed was sent off after a very bad foul. UAE was able to decrease the lead after Saeed Alkas was able to hit the ball past Kawaguchi. The game ended with the score of 3-1, which means Japan will probably come in 1st in their group and their will be a tight race between Qatar and Vietnam.

Iraq humiliates Australia

2007-07-13T09:35:00.000-07:00

Persopress-This has been probably been the biggest surprise in the tournament so far, as Australia, a team that many thought could come and just win the Cup without any trouble were upset in their second game. Iraq believed that they could beat Australia after they had seen Oman had defeated them until the 89th minute in their first game. Iraq started the game with a lot of confidence and it all paid off in the 23rd minute as Nashat Akram crossed the ball and it went into the net after a mistake by Schwarzer, Australia's goalie. In the second half, Australia started out with a lot of energy as they were looking to tie the game up. And they reached their goal in the 47 minute as Mark Viduka headed the ball in after Emerton had crossed in the ball from the right. After the goal it seemed like Iraq were going to lose it and Australia was going to come back and win, but this was not the case. Nashat, who was Iraq's best player and will definitely be getting offers from Europe after this game intercepted the ball and gave an amazing though ball to Hawar and he made great use of it putting the ball past Schwarzer. Iraq got a huge boost out of this goal and had many opportunities to increase their lead, but they wasted some chances and were unlucky after Hawar's cheap hit the post. But, they were finally able to relax and take a deep breathe after Karrar Jassim tapped the ball in after a deflection off Lucas Neil's foot. The Australian players became very restless and angry, and it showed as Lucas Neil picked up his second yellow and was red carded. This is a huge win for Iraq and its people as they are going through a very hard time. This defeat is also huge for Australia as they might not make it past the 1st round, after they were considered the favorites to many people.

Sebastian saves Qatar from defeat

2007-07-12T11:03:00.000-07:00

HANOI (Pa sport)– Sebastian Quintana salvaged a 1-1 draw for Qatar for the second straight game, heading home 11 minutes from time as the Middle Eastern side held co-hosts Vietnam at My Dinh Stadium on Thursday.

Phan Thanh Binh gave the home side the lead in the 32nd minute after a handling error by Mohamed Saqr but the Uruguay-born Quintana, who had also netted in the draw with Japan on Monday, scored a deserved equaliser late on to keep alive Qatar’s hopes of reaching the last eight.

Despite failing to hold on for the win, Vietnam remained top of Group B with four points, two ahead of the Qataris.

Once again, there was a capacity crowd at My Dinh National Stadium, eager to see their side build on their 2-0 win over United Arab Emirates in their opening match.

However, it was the Gulf side that dominated early on as the Qatari forward line of Waleed Jassim and Sebastian Quintana put the Vietnamese goal under heavy pressure in the opening half-hour.

Goalkeeper Duong Hong Son was kept busy, coming off his line quickly in the fifth minute to gather the ball as it was played through to Quintana.

On 20 minutes, Quintana received the ball on the edge of the Vietnamese box after it had been deflected to him off Nguyen Huy Hoang and fired in a hard low shot that forced Hong Son to go down low to his right to save.

The Song Lam Nghe An keeper did even better just before the half-hour as Quintana surged into the Vietnamese box, outpacing Vu Nhu Thanh before unleashing a low left-footed drive that Hong Son dived low to his left to parry away magnificently.

Vietnam were able to generate little until a calamitous error by goalkeeper Mohamed Saqr in the 32nd minute presented them with the lead.

Phan Thanh Binh received the ball from Le Cong Vinh on the edge of the box and turned a defender on the edge of the box before firing in a shot from 20 metres that appeared unlikely to cause much trouble for Saqr.

But the Al Sadd keeper misjudged the bounce and allowed the ball to bobble under his body, rolling agonisingly out of his reach and over the line.

Spurred on by the goal, the Vietnamese picked up their game and very nearly increased their advantage three minutes later when Thanh Binh fired in another low shot that went just wide of the right post.

Qatar were still creating the better chances though and Hong Son was called into action again to punch clear Meshal Mubarak’s speculative shot from 30 metres.

In stoppage time at the end of the half, Waleed Jasim ran onto a fine through pass played over the top of the Vietnamese defence by Wesam Rizik but lobbed his effort over the crossbar.

Qatar continued to exert much of the pressure in the second half and Hong Son was called into action again in the 52nd minute to stop Waleed Jasim's curling free kick from 25 metres, holding on to the ball as three Qatari players looked to pounce.

Shortly afterwards, Saad Al Shammari floated in a cross that was headed harmlessly over by Abdulla Koni with two teammates waiting in a better position behind him.

Magid Mohammed then went within inches of an equaliser as he received the ball on the left side of the box following a corner and fired in a shot with the outside of his right boot that bounced off the far post. Quintana gathered the loose ball off the rebound but shot wide.

Most of Vietnam’s efforts in the second half were on the counter attack, Phung Van Nhien curling an effort narrowly wide after surging into the Qatari box and Cong Vinh firing across the face of goal after winning possession off Mostafa Abdulla.

Qatari pressure finally paid off in the 79th minute when a low shot by substitute Ali Afef deflected off a Vietnamese defender and looped up towards the six-yard box where an onrushing Quintana powered in to head the ball home.

The Middle Eastern side turned up the pressure in the closing minutes with Ali Afef heading wide in the 82nd minute and then hitting the underside of the crossbar two minutes later after he was found unmarked in the box by Quintana.

With time running out, Seyd Bechir and Mostafa Abdulla also headed off target before Majadi Siddiq shot wide with the final effort of the game.

Pipat wins game for Thailand

2007-07-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

BANGKOK (Pa sport) – Thailand took a step closer to the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup 2007 after substitute Pipat Tonkanya scored twice as the co-hosts defeated Oman 2-0 on Thursday to record their first-ever regulation-time victory in the competition.

After a goalless first-half, Thailand took a 70th minute lead when second-half substitute Pipat side-footed home Teerathep Winothai’s cross from close range before rifling in the second after collecting Teerathep’s header for a victory which was a reversal of the score line when the two met at the previous tournament in China.

Thailand coach Chanvit Polchovin and his counterpart Gabriel Calderon both made one change from the sides that started their respective 1-1 draws in the opening round of fixtures.

Jetsada Jitsawad failed to recover from a thigh muscle strain and the Bangkok University stopper’s place in the Thai defence was taken by 21-year-old Kiatprawut Saiwaeo, while Fawzi Basheer, who impressed in the last 30 minutes against Australia, earned a place in the starting 11 at the expense of Yousuf Al Busaidi.

The opening five minutes were played at a brisk tempo and while the Thais had the majority of possession it was the visitors who had the first half-chance of the game when keeper Kosin Hatthairattanakool safely gathered Ismail Al Ajmi’s cross-shot from the left.

Some Thai trickery in and around the penalty area almost saw the home side take a 20th minute lead but veteran striker Kiatisuk Senamuang couldn’t connect with Sutee Suksomkit’s pass across the face of goal.

Five minutes later Therdsak Chaiman got his shaven head on the end of Datsakorn Thonglao’s lofted pass but the diminutive Singapore Armed Forces playmaker was off target with his effort.

Ten minutes from interval Said Shoon’s crunching tackle on Kiatisuk earned the Oman defender a yellow card and the Thais a free-kick in a dangerous position but Sutee wasted the opportunity by firing the set-piece straight into the Oman wall.

Kiatisuk was in the wars again seven minutes later when he was barged over by Juma Abdullah Al Wahabi, who became the fourth Oman player booked by referee Lee Gi-yong, before Therdsak fired an angle drive into the side netting on the stroke of half-time.

The inaugural AFC Champions League MVP saw his free-kick comfortably held by Oman keeper Ali Al Habsi one minute after the restart before a superb long pass from Kiatisuk deep inside his own half found Sutee in acres of space near the opponent’s penalty area.

Sutee, who has featured in every one of Thailand’s Asian Cup matches since Lebanon 2000, squared the ball to Thai skipper Tawan Sripan who blazed his shot high over the bar.

In the 58th minute Chanvit bolstered his attack by taking off playmaker Therdsak and bringing on striker Pipat, who tested Al Habsi with a low drive four minutes later.

Kosin, who was outstanding in the first-half of the draw with Iraq, had had a quite game up until the 65th minute when he turned Ahmed Hadid’s curling free-kick from the left onto the post.

With 20 minutes left to play Thailand’s persistence finally paid off and it was Pipat and fellow substitute Teerathep who combined for the opener.

Nirut Surasiang played a pass through to Teerathep, who replaced Kiatisuk three minutes earlier, and the BEC Tero Sasana striker whipped in a cross that was side-footed home by the unmarked Pipat at the far post.

Al Ajmi flashed a header wide while Bader Mubarak tested Kosin with a superb turn and shot before Teerathep and Pipat combined again for Thailand’s second eight minutes after they broke the deadlock.

Former Crystal Palace youth player Teerathep got up well to head a long ball into the path of Pipat who controlled the ball with his chest before firing past Al Habsi with authority to complete a win that put the Thais in an excellent position to go through to the last eight.

Korea and Saudis draw

2007-07-12T10:59:00.000-07:00

JAKARTA (Pa sport)– Saudi Arabia captain Yasser Al Qahtani scored from the penalty spot 13 minutes from time to earn his side a 1-1 draw with Korea Republic in their opening AFC Asian Cup encounter on Wednesday evening.

The Al Hilal hit man struck after Australian referee Mark Shield awarded a debatable penalty when Malek Maaz was adjudged to have been fouled by Oh Beom-seok, cancelling out Choi Sung-kuk’s 66th minute opener.

Choi had beaten Saudi defender Kamil Al Mousa to Yeom Ki-hun’s cross from the left before heading beyond Yasser Al Mosailem to give the 2002 World Cup semi-finalists the lead.

But the game was marred when, five minutes from time, a power failure in the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium saw play stopped for almost 25 minutes before what was left of the game was played out.

It was a chaotic end to a game that had started with the Saudis giving the Korean defence a major fright with less than a minute on the clock.

Malek Maaz’s pace saw him sear down the left before firing in a cross that was the perfect height for Al Qahtani, but the Al Hilal man could only glance his header across the face of goal.

That was an early wake-up call for the Koreans and from there the half became an intriguing midfield battle.

Choi had a lively start with his speed and trickery keeping the Saudi defence on their toes while at the other end a break through midfield by Ahmed Al Mousa in the 25th minute set up Maaz, but his shot was bundled round the post by Lee Woon-jae.

Cho Jae-jin threatened with a header two minutes later before almost claiming he spectacular opener three minutes ahead of the break when his overhead attempt following Oh Beom-seok’s cross was tipped over the bar by Al Mosailem.

With barely seconds left in the half Al Mosailem was called into action again when Kim Chi-woo fired in a low shot which bounced in front of the Al Ahli goalkeeper, who used his legs to clear.

Maaz continued to look the Saudi most likely to score in the second half when, seven minutes after the restart he capitalised on an error by Oh to take possession 35 yards from goal, only to fire off a shot that went just wide.

Cho saw his header from Yeom’s free kick go just wide six minutes later before Choi gave the Koreans the lead in the 66th minute.

Al Mousa was caught ball watching as Yeom’s centre came in from the left and the Seongnam Ilhwa man crashed his header beyond the reach of Al Mosailem.

The goal was Choi’s last contribution to the game as he made way for Lee Chun-soo immediately after the restart, but it took the Saudis only 11 minutes to pull level.

Maaz was confronted by Oh just inside the penalty area and, as he tried to go round the Pohang Steelers midfielder, the Al Ahli man went to the ground and Shield pointed to the spot.

From there, Al Qahtani – who had been virtually anonymous throughout the game – sent Lee the wrong way to earn the Saudis a point before the stadium was plunged into darkness.

When the game resumed, Saad Al Harthi fired off a long-range attempt in the first minute of injury that Lee did well do save while seconds later he had another chance to win the game for Saudi, only to hit the side netting.

Ghalenoi: I will start Kaebi in the rest of my matches

2007-07-12T10:47:00.000-07:00

Persopress- Today IRIB sports news reported that Ghalenio will start Kaebi in the rest of his matches in Asian Cup. This is a very good for the Iranian National team as Kaebi has the speed and stamina that many on Iran and even Iran's opponents don't. Chances are Iran's Coach Ghalenoi will bring up Mahdavikia from defense to a wing let Kaebi play. This would be a winning factor for Iran's team. Many ask why Ghalenoi did not play Kaebi in the Uzbekistan match and he had awnsered that he has 15 base players so 2 would be left out and while watching the match he determined to bring in Aghili as Iran's last sub. We will see Iran in action on Saturday July 15 against China in Kuala Lampur

Fighting Spirit was Key in our team

2007-07-12T10:40:00.001-07:00

KUALA LUMPUR (Pasport) - Iran legend Ali Karimi has hailed his side’s motivation after they impressively came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in their opening AFC Asian Cup 2007 Group C clash at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Wednesday.

Second half goals from Seyed Jalal Hosseini and substitute Javad Kazemian, in reply to an early own goal from Rahman Rezaei, proved enough to give Iran an important win that Karimi attributes to the determination on show throughout the Team Melli camp.

“A win in the first match of any tournament is always a gift, so in that respect we have got a gift here against Uzbekistan. Having said that though, we will still have to do well in our other games,” said the 28-year-old former AFC Player of the Year.

“The goal we conceded was a mistake by our own player, but after that error we pulled ourselves together, attacked very well and eventually won the game.

“We were very motivated to win against Uzbekistan, quite simply we came to win, that was what we thought and that was what we achieved.”

With many observers backing Iran to lift their fourth continental title, Karimi also revealed that the side’s desire to succeed is a direct result of their last Asian Cup experience some three years ago in China.

“Without a doubt, we are one of the top teams here at the Asian Cup,” revealed the Karaj-born star, who recently joined Qatar Sports Club after a two-year spell in Germany with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

“As I said before, we have come here to win. We want to improve on the third place we achieved at the last Asian Cup in China. Our aim is to get to the final and win this tournament.”

Having seen several of the teams at this year’s event in South East Asia struggle to cope with the hot and humid weather, Karimi explained that despite the far from ideal conditions, Iran would not be deterred from achieving their ultimate aim.

“The conditions are very similar to the one we experienced three years ago in China,” he said.

“Back then we managed to acclimatise but of course there has been a big gap between then and now, so we are trying to get ourselves together.

“The conditions are the same for every team here. We just want to do our very best no matter what the weather is like and win the Asian Cup.”