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China open up Asian Cup qualifiers with 2-0 win
(www.aigou888.cn/AFP)
Updated: 2006-02-23 11:03
Japan made it 2-0 when Makoto Hasebe's shot was helped over the line by
Seiichiro Maki in the 58th minute and Takashi Fukunishi put the game beyond any
doubt when he converted from an Alessandro Santos corner in the 68th minute.
 The lopsided affair saw Tatsuhiko Kubo make it 4-0 11 minutes later
with substitute Hisato Sato and another from Kubo sealing the rout.
In Aleppo, South Korea, minus their European-based stars, ground out a
morale-boosting victory Group B over Syria thanks to goals from Kim Do-heon and
Lee Chun-soo as they work to win their first Asian Cup since 1960.
Elsewhere, Uzbekistan thrashed Bangladesh 5-0 in a Group F clash, giving new
coach Valeri Nepomniatchi, who took over last month, a winning start to his
reign.
Bangladesh's task was made more difficult by the suspension of their
Argentine coach Diego Cruciani, who had to watch from the stands after he
attacked the referee following his side's December clash against Pakistan.
In another Group E game, Southeast Asian champions Singapore got the better
of Iraq, sealing a 2-0 victory with goals from Khairul Amri and Noh Alam Shah.
It was an impressive performance from a side that was in turmoil after two
Lion's players (Goh Tat Chuan and Masrezwan Masturi) were dropped on the eve of
the match for breaking the team's curfew.
Four other matches are being played later Wednesday, including Australia who
are competing in their first Asian Cup campaign after joining the Asian Football
Confederation in January.
They are looking for a winning start against Bahrain in Manama but, like
South Korea, are without most of their Europe-based stars.
In other matches Lebanon challenge Kuwait, Jordan play Pakistan and United
Arab Emirates pit their wits against Oman.
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