Host China crushes RI 5-0 in Asian Cup<\/p>\n
Reuters, Beijing<\/p>\n
China overpowered 10-man Indonesia with a crushing 5-0 win at
\nthe Asian Cup on Wednesday, lifting the host to the top of its
\ngroup.<\/p>\n
German-based midfielder Shao Jiayi capped a superb performance
\nwith two goals to give China four points from two games in Group
\nA.<\/p>\n
China, which was held to a 2-2 draw by Bahrain in their
\nopening Group A match, went ahead in the 25th minute, Shao firing
\nhome a left-foot volley after a teasing cross from Li Jinyu.<\/p>\n
After Indonesia midfielder Alexander Pulalo was sent off for a
\nwild lunge on Zhao Junzhe, talisman Hao Haidong doubled China's
\nlead five minutes before halftime in rain-drenched Beijing.<\/p>\n
Shao, who plays for Bundesliga club 1860 Munich, turned
\nprovider for the second goal, whipping in a left-foot cross for
\nHao to score with a brave diving header.<\/p>\n
Li Ming added a third direct from a corner six minutes into
\nthe second half and the outstanding Shao volleyed home from the
\nedge of the box in the 66th minute.<\/p>\n
Substitute Li Yi completed the rout with a glancing header 10
\nminutes from time as China dominated the 200th match in Asian Cup
\nfinals history in front of 48,000 at Beijing Workers Stadium.<\/p>\n
China, which is coached by Dutchman Arie Haan, has never won
\nthe Asian Cup. It only needs a point against Qatar on Sunday to
\nbe assured of a quarterfinal spot.<\/p>\n
Earlier, striker Mohamed Hubail snatched an injury-time
\nequalizer as Bahrain salvaged a 1-1 draw with Qatar.<\/p>\n
Qatar, which fired coach Philippe Troussier on Tuesday, looked
\nto be heading for a controversial victory in rain-swept Beijing
\nfollowing Wesam Rizik's 59th-minute penalty.<\/p>\n
But Hubail struck in stoppage time, scoring with a looping
\nheader to give Gulf Cup runner-up Bahrain its second successive
\ndraw after holding China 2-2 on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Qatar sacked Frenchman Troussier following their 2-1 defeat by
\nIndonesia at the weekend.<\/p>\n
\"We tried to work on the psychological side before the game,\"
\nsaid new Qatar coach Saeed Al Mesned.<\/p>\n
\"I told the players they must believe they can do something
\nfor their country and to play with heart and discipline. They did
\nthat and we were very near to winning.\"<\/p>\n
Bahrain's Croatian coach Srecko Juricic put a positive spin on
\nthe result, despite having been expected to win the match.<\/p>\n
\"We dominated most of the time but unfortunately they scored
\non the counter-attack,\" he said. \"After that, we attacked more
\nand played very well. In the end, I think we deserved this
\npoint.\"<\/p>",
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