World Cup misery for China despite thrashing Hong Kong
World Cup misery for China despite thrashing Hong Kong
Agence France-Presse, Guangzhou, China
China's stuttering World Cup campaign came to a dramatic end on Wednesday despite a 7-0 thrashing of Hong Kong.
The Asian giant, needing a cricket score to overhaul group- leading Kuwait's superior goal difference, duly obliged but was undone by the 6-1 scoreline in Kuwait City, which saw it heartbreakingly lose out on goals scored.
Goals either side of the break by Li Jinyu, together with a first-half double by Shao Jiayi and second-half strikes by Xu Yunlong, Yu Genwei and Li Weifeng, saw China clinch an emphatic win in front of about 35,000 fans.
But the result is likely to spell an end to the China career of coach Arie Haan, who took over in 2002 with the remit of improving on a goalless performance in the last World Cup.
China will also rue a second-half penalty miss by Zheng Zhi, tipped around the post by Hong Kong's livewire 'keeper Fan Chun- yip.
China started brightly with Hao Haidong and Wei Xin going close early on. Li Jinyu opened the scoring in the eighth minute, capitalising on a defensive error from Hong Kong captain Lee Wai- Man to burst into the box and lash a fierce left-footed shot into the top right-hand corner.
The home side, roared on by an enthusiastic crowd, camped out around Hong Kong's penalty area and rarely allowed the visitors to get out of their own half.
Li, the scorer, found the side-netting and Hao came close on a number of occasions including one shot which was deflected on to the bar.
But midfield star Shao Jiayi gave the fans renewed hope when he latched on to a loose ball on the edge of the box and slammed a right-footed shot past keeper Fan.
Shao, China's top scorer at the recent Asian Cup, capitalized on another goalmouth scramble to make it 3-0 just three minutes later.
Meanwhile, South Korea struggled into the final round of Asian qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup with an unconvincing 2-0 victory over the Maldives.
The 2002 World Cup semifinalist -- which is bidding to reach its sixth consecutive finals, an Asian record -- made sure of top spot in Group Seven thanks to second-half goals from Kim Do-Heon and Lee Dong-Gook.
But it was a lacklustre showing from South Korea, which struggled to break down opponents who had held them to a shock 0- 0 draw in the earlier pool fixture in Male in March.
Maldives keeper Mohamed kept the Koreans at bay for much of the match, pulling off a string of fine saves to frustrate the home side.
Mohamed blocked from PSV Eindhoven's Park Ji-Sung and eventual goalscorer Lee in the first half as the Asian soccering minnows managed to hold Korea to 0-0 at the break.
Eager to make up for the disappointing opening 45 minutes, the Koreans upped the pressure at the start of the second half and their hard work paid off in the 67th minute when midfielder Kim's left-footed drive rolled into the net.
Fifteen minutes later, Lee Dong-Gook tucked home a cross from Seol Ki-Hyeon to make the game safe.
South Korea, one of Asia's strongest soccer nation, has improved its form since Jo Bonfrere was appointed coach in June, replacing Humberto Coelho of Portugal.
Asian champion Japan struggled past Singapore 1-0 to finish the first phase of Asian qualifiying for the 2006 World Cup with a 100 percent record.
Japan, which had already booked its place in next year's final qualifying round, made it six wins out of six in Group Three thanks to a 13th minute goal by striker Keiji Tamada.
Japan coach Zico said he was satisified with the victory even though a defensive-minded Singapore had limited his side's scoring opportunities.
"Our biggest goal was to pass through the first round by winning all the six games. We did that. So I am satisfied with our performance," said the Brazilian legend.
"Having gone through the six matches, the team has grown and has become united. I am happy with what we have achieved," he said.
Japan, missing several of its European-based stars including former Asian player of the year Hidetoshi Nakata, started the game in dominant fashion but faded as the match progressed.
On 11 minutes, Masashi Motoyama went close to opening the scoring but just failed to nudge home from close range after a fumble by Singapore keeper Lionel Lewis.
But Motoyama made up for the miss moments later, centring for Tamada who made no mistake.
Japan could have made it 2-0 shortly afterwards only to be denied by a superb save from Lewis, blocking athletically to beat away a header from Naoki Matsuda.
With Japan continuing to squander chances, Singapore gradually began to find their rhythm and even threatened the home side.
But their best chance of the first half -- a free-kick just in front of the Japanese area on 20 minutes -- was sent cannoning into the wall by striker Indra Sahdan Daud.
In injury time, Singapore's Itami Dickson rushed from left to fire a shot at the close range, but Japanese goalkeeper Yoichi Doi punched it out.