Home | Sports | Asian Games | Report
Feedback
ADVERTISEMENT
  Content
 
 History
 News
 India at the Games
 Slide Shows
 All the Sports
 Schedule
 Results
 Medals Tally
 Specials

Reuters
 Search the Internet
         Tips
 Cricket, Hockey, Tennis

E-Mail this report to a friend
Print this page Best Printed on  HP Laserjets


September 30, 2002 | 2035 IST

South Korea too good for Oman

Ken Ferris

South Korea enjoyed their second successive victory in the Asian Games football tournament on Monday as they thrashed Oman 5-2 in group A to almost make certain of a place in the quarter-finals.

Goals from Cho Sung Hwan (24 minutes), Kim Du Hyan (50), Lee Dong Gook (61) and a brace from forward Lee Chon Soo (65 and 86) destroyed Oman as the Koreans, looking to build on their World Cup success under coach Guus Hiddink, dominated the match.

The host nation need just a point from their final group match against Malaysia to clinch a place in the last eight, though their huge goal difference means they should qualify as group winners in the unlikely event of a defeat.

Coach Park Hang-seo, who replaced Dutchman Hiddink after their amazing run to the World Cup semi-finals in June, was delighted with his team as they followed an opening 4-0 win over the Maldives with another impressive display before the home fans.

The Koreans were full of running and sharp, incisive football that kept the Omanis on the back foot throughout the match and their crisp finishing ensured they wrapped up the points long before the end.

In the other group A match Malaysia beat the Maldives 3-1 thanks to a hat-trick from Muhammad Shukor Adan. With Oman beating Malaysia 1-0 in their first group match, their final game against the Maldives will determine if they have a chance of qualifying as runner-up.

China top group C after coasting to a 3-0 win over Bangladesh with goals from Wang Xinxin (34 minutes), Yu Tao (43) and Gao Ming (87) and now have a good chance of reaching the quarter-finals after a 4-0 win over Turkmenistan in their first match.

The group will be decided when China face India, who beat Bangladesh 3-0 in their first game and on Monday gave themselves hope of reaching the last eight with a second-half comeback to beat Turkmenistan 3-1. Bhutia Baichung (8 minutes), Yadav Avishek (56) and Bhutia Baichung (77) got the goals.

Thailand are also in the running for the last eight after their 3-0 victory over Vietnam in group B after a similar scoreline against Yemen last Friday. Narongchai Vachiraban (29 minutes), Issawa Singtong (62) and Kiatisuk Senamuang (83) all found the net on Monday.

The United Arab Emirates, coached by former Switzerland, Inter Milan and Blackburn Rovers coach Roy Hodgson, gave themselves a shot at reaching the quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over Yemen. Al Jenaibi (6 minutes) and Al Abadla (32) scored the goals.

They have four points after the goalless draw with Vietnam in their first group match and will clinch a quarter-final place if they beat Thailand in their last group game. A point could still see them through as runners-up.

The winners of the six groups plus the two best runners-up qualify for the quarter-finals of the tournament, which is played at under-23 level in line with the Olympic soccer tournament.

Back to top
(c) Copyright 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.


Channels:

News:
Shopping:
Services:
Astrology | Auto | Contests | E-cards | Food | Health | Home & Decor | Jobs | Lifestyle | Matrimonial
Money | Movies | Net Guide | Product Watch | Romance | Tech.Edu | Technology | Teenstation | Travel | Women
News | Cricket | Sports | NewsLinks
Shopping | Books | Music
Personal Homepages | Free Email | Free Messenger | Chat


(c) 2002 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.