Richard Michael
DeanoHarmoAsian Cup - Bahrain Upset Korea, Nervous Wait for Socceroos
July 16th 2007 08:56
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China took on Iran in a top-of-the-table Group C match; and it took just 6 minutes for the Chinese to get the advantage. A free from Shao Jiaya sailed over the wall and past the Iranian keeper for the first score. On the half-hour another would come when Mao Jianqing found space and with only the keeper to beat gave China a 2-0 lead. But Iran weren’t done yet; and on the stroke of half-time a long-range shot from Ferydoon Zandi hit the corner of the net. With 18 minutes to go, a header from Javad Nekounam equalised, and a 2-2 draw was hot it remained.
Korea got off to a flying start against Bahrain when a free kick rebounded off the wall to Kim Do-heon who popped it into the Bahraini net. But Bahrain equalised shortly before half-time when Salman Isa shot low past the Korean keeper. 1-1 at the break, and Korea attacked for much of the second half without reward. But with just 5 minutes to go, Ismail Abdullatif drilled a shot into the Korean net to pull off the upset of the tournament. Korea will need to defeat Indonesia to progress to the quarter-finals.
The final group matches for Groups A and B will be played tonight. Australia will need a win over Thailand and hope Iraq score at least a point against Oman to go through on head-to-head; or a 3-0 win to go through on goal difference. A draw or loss will see the Socceroos out of the tournament. Kick-off is at 10:30pm Sydney time.
China 2 (Shao Jiaya 6, Mao Jiaya 33) drew Iran 2 (Ferydoon Zandi 45, Javad Nekounam 72).
Bahrain 2 (Salman Isa 43, Ismaeel Abdullatif 85) d Korea Republic 1 (Kim Do-heon 4)
Group C Standings – China 4 ( 4), Iran 4 ( 1), Uzbekistan 3 ( 4), Malaysia 0 (-9).
Group D Standings – Saudi Arabia 4 ( 1), Indonesia 3 (0), Bahrain 3 (0), Korea Republic 1 (-1).
Korea got off to a flying start against Bahrain when a free kick rebounded off the wall to Kim Do-heon who popped it into the Bahraini net. But Bahrain equalised shortly before half-time when Salman Isa shot low past the Korean keeper. 1-1 at the break, and Korea attacked for much of the second half without reward. But with just 5 minutes to go, Ismail Abdullatif drilled a shot into the Korean net to pull off the upset of the tournament. Korea will need to defeat Indonesia to progress to the quarter-finals.
Bahrain supporters celebrate their shock win over Korea
The final group matches for Groups A and B will be played tonight. Australia will need a win over Thailand and hope Iraq score at least a point against Oman to go through on head-to-head; or a 3-0 win to go through on goal difference. A draw or loss will see the Socceroos out of the tournament. Kick-off is at 10:30pm Sydney time.
China 2 (Shao Jiaya 6, Mao Jiaya 33) drew Iran 2 (Ferydoon Zandi 45, Javad Nekounam 72).
Bahrain 2 (Salman Isa 43, Ismaeel Abdullatif 85) d Korea Republic 1 (Kim Do-heon 4)
Group C Standings – China 4 ( 4), Iran 4 ( 1), Uzbekistan 3 ( 4), Malaysia 0 (-9).
Group D Standings – Saudi Arabia 4 ( 1), Indonesia 3 (0), Bahrain 3 (0), Korea Republic 1 (-1).
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