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