China beats S. Korea in Nike Premier Cup

JAKARTA (JP): China won the under-14 Asia-Pacific Nike International Premier Cup after beating South Korea 3-1 in the final yesterday at South Jakarta's Soemantri Brodjonegoro stadium.

China's three goals were scored by Li Zheng in the 16th minute, Wang Xiao Dong in the 26th minute and Hu Zhi Qiang in the 46th minute.

South Korea's goal was scored by Kim Su-heung in the 13th minute.

China and South Korea qualified for the final after China beat Malaysia 2-0 and South Korea beat Japan 2-0 in the semifinals.

In two other matches yesterday, Japan beat Malaysia 4-1 and Singapore beat the Philippines 2-1. The two wins gave Japan and Malaysia third and fourth place respectively.

Indonesia did not qualify for the semifinals, finishing fifth after beating Singapore 4-1 Wednesday.

Singapore came sixth and the Philippines seventh.

Japan's win over Malaysia came from the boot of Leon Ito (two goals), Yosuke Aida and Yuki Abe. Faizal Othman scored Malaysia's only goal.

Singapore's two goals came from Gay Yee Fong and Tongson Tristan. The Philippine's Faizal Amin scored his team's only goal.

China and South Korea will represent Asia in the first Nike Global Premier Cup finals in Cape Town, South Africa against teams from Africa, Europe, Latin America and the USA. (lnt)