China beats Kuwait 1-0 in World Cup Asian qualifier

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, February 19, 2004

China beats Kuwait 1-0 in World Cup Asian qualifier

Striker Hao Haidong scored the sole goal by a header in the second half to give China a 1-0 victory over Kuwait in their World Cup Asian Zone Group Four qualifying match Wednesday in Guangzhou.

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China beat Kuwait 1-0

A second-half header by veteran striker Hao Haidong handed China a 1-0 victory over Kuwait in their 2006 World Cup Asian opening qualifier Wednesday.

Hao, who had played a pivotal role in China's qualification to the 2002 World Cup, reaffirmed his place in the team as he headed home a right cross from midfielder Wei Xin in the 75th minute.

The match turned sour thereafter as the Kuwaiti players got ill-tempered and committed many fouls. Fahad Al-Hamad was sent off in the closing moments for spitting at Chinese defender Li Weifeng on his face.

China coach Arie Haan, who had vowed to beat his Kuwaiti opponents by at least two goals, said he was satisfied with the result.

"My players have done a good job in the match," said the Dutchman at the post-match press conference.

"The first match is always the most difficult for the players after a long training," he added.

Haan's view was echoed by the 34-year-old Hao.

"Usually speaking, the opening match of a tournament is difficult to play," said Hao. "But I was lucky to score a goal in the match."

After squandering a string of chances in the first half, China could have taken the lead in the 64th minute when Hao fired a half-volley into the net from close range. But it was ruled out by the referee because the ball had crossed the base line.

The home side went into the Asian Zone Group Four match lively as they had three shots in the first 10 minutes.

Li went close to scoring in the 12th minute when his shot went just wide of the goal.

Center back Zheng Zhi then missed another golden chance. He raced into the penalty box after making a neat teamwork with Hao, but he kicked the ball high over the bar.

Kuwait, which had seemed to be content with a draw, created few scoring opportunities and had no shot at all during the match.

Kuwait coach Paulo Carpegiani expressed his disappointment at his side.

"We should have won the match, but we were not lucky today," said Carpegiani.

"I made a mistake. I chose a wrong forward for the game. He failed to perform to my expectation," he added.

In another development, South Korea beat Lebanon 2-0 in a 2006 World Cup Asian Zone Group Seven qualifying match in Suwon, South Korea.

The South Koreans were dealt a heavy blow in the 31st minute when Kim Tae-young, racing for a long ball with Mahmoud Chahoud, sent the Lebanese player sprawling, only for the referee to point to the spot.

However, Mohammad Kassas's weak shot was denied by South Koreangoalkeeper Lee Woon-jae.

Within a minute, Lebanon paid the price for the miss as Lee Young-pyo found space on the left flank. The PSV Eindhoven midfielder's cross was too high for Seol Ki-hyeon, but Cha Du-ri followed up and headed home for the lead.

Five minutes after halftime, South Korea lost Ahn Jung-hwan andSeol Ki-hyeon who collided heavily in the Lebanon penalty area.

With both players off the field for treatment, Park Ji-sung went ahead and took the corner kick, allowing Cho Byung-kuk to score a header from close range.

Trailing 2-0 behind, Lebanon refused to give up and came close to pulling a goal back in the 69th minute, but an alert Lee Woon-jae managed to deny Chahoud's effort.

Lebanon coach Mahmoud Hamoud had suggested the weather could cause problems for his players. The outside temperature hovering around 9 Celsius degrees at kick-off.

Hong Kong, China defeated Malaysia 3-1 in a 2006 World Cup Asian Zone Group Four qualifying match in Kuantan, Malaysia on Feb. 18.

Results of other matches

Hong Kong beats Malaysia 3-1

Hong Kong, China defeated Malaysia 3-1 in a 2006 World Cup Asian Zone Group Four qualifying match in Kuantan, Malaysia on Feb. 18.

Scorers:

Malaysia -- Rosei Talib 38

Hong Kong, China -- Ng Wai Hiu 16, Chu Siu Kei 87, Kwok Yue Hong 90

Halftime: 1-1; Attendance: 15,000

Uzebekistan draws with Iraq

Uzbekistan was held to a 1-1 draw with Iraq in a 2006 World Cup Asian Zone Group Two qualifying match played in Tashkent on Feb. 18.

Scorers:

Uzbekistan: Anvar Soliyev 79

Iraq: Ahmed Aiwan 57

Red card: Haedr Khadim (Iraq) 72

Halftime: 0-0; Attendance: 25,000

Tajikistan downs Kyrgyzstan 2-1

Kyrgyzstan lost to Tajikistan 1-2 in a 2006 World Cup Asian Zone Group Six qualifying match played in Bishkek on Feb. 18.

Scorers:

Kyrgyzstan: Valery Berezovsky 9

Tajikistan: Irmurod Burkhonov 30, 54

Halftime: 1-1; Attendance: 11,000

India beats Singapore 1-0

India edged Singapore 1-0 in a 2006 World Cup Asian Zone Group Three qualifying match played in Margao, India on Feb. 18.

Scorer: Renedy Singh (penalty) 49

Halftime: 0-0; Attendance: 28,000

Referee: Yarebi Farajallah (Iran)

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