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Japan beat Oman, Iran trash Thailand in Asian Cup
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-07-21 10:13
Holders Japan overcame the loss of several star players through injury and
the upcoming Olympics to open their Asian Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over
Oman. Iran rout Thailand 3-0 in the same group.
The defending champions, missing several star Europe-based players including
captain Hidetoshi Nakata, midfielder Junichi Inamoto and playmaker Shinji Ono,
secured the points thanks to a superb first-half goal from Shunsuke Nakamura.
Japan, coached by Brazilian legend Zico, had been determined to make up for a
dismal display against the Omanis in World Cup qualifiers earlier this year,
when they needed an injury-time goal to snatch a 1-0 victory.
But in the end they were made to work hard for their Group D win,
withstanding a ferocious late rally from an impressive young Oman side who
enjoyed overwhelming support from a crowd of around 25,000.
Oman swept forward relentlessly in the final ten minutes, striker Imad Ali
threatening the Japan goal in injury time with a glancing header that went just
wide of Japan's former Portsmouth keeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi.
Imad Ali had also been involved in another gilt-edged chance in the 81st
minute, helping on to to Bader Mubarak who sent his shot wide.
Japan though, who remain one of the tournament favourites despite missing so
many first choice players, kept their composure and defended well to frustrate
the Gulf side, centre-half and skipper Tsuneyasu Miyamoto outstanding.
Japan had taken the lead on 34 minutes when a cross from Brazilian-born
left-back Alex deflected off a defender and into the path of Nakamura.
The attacking midfielder collected and beat one opponent before arrowing a
shot off the outside of his left foot into the top corner from 13 yards.
One of Oman's best chances came moments earlier when Imad Ali blasted over
from close range.
Iran thrash Thailand 3-0
Despite humid weather here,three-time Asian Cup champions Iran thrashed
Thailand 3-0 in their first group match of Asina Cup 2004 tournament on Tuesday.
The win moved Branko Ivankovic's team to the top of the group ahead of
Japan,who beat Oman 1-0in the evening's earlier game.
Ivankovic was happy with his team's performance but complained about the
weather." The first game is always hard to play, you see every favorite did not
make good result in the first game. The most important thing is we won the game.
It is not easy to score after 10 seconds because today you don't have weak
opponents," He said.
"The weather is too terrible to play football. It put my players under mental
and physical pressure. I am sure with the match goes on, the mental pressure (of
the players) will be reduced," he said.
Thailand coach Chatchai was not disappointed at his team's loss." Iran is a
better team and they deserved to win the game. I think they are strong enough to
win the title."
He blamed his team's loss of form in the second half on bad physical
condition." I think my players were very tired in the second half, and Iran's
passings were very accurate and that brought us a lot of trouble," he said.
Iran, who warmed up for the tournament by winning the West Asian Football
Federation championship, dominated from the first whistle but they ran into
stiff resistance from a Thai side which made light of the absence of several key
players.
The 1968, 1972 and 1976 Asian Cup winners had the first opportunity of the
game after just three minutes, when Yahya Golmahammadi's downward header from a
corner bounced just over the bar.
Three minutes later, Javad Nekounam was inches away from getting his head to
a floated free-kick from Medhi Mahdavikia, the reigning AFC Player of the Year.
Thailand keeper Kosin Hathairatanakul came to his team's rescue on 17minutes
when he acrobatically turned away a stinging shot from Mahdavikia from 25 yards
out.
Having weathered the storm, Chatchai Paholpat's side gained in confidence
with Sarayoot Chaikamdee on the right causing panic in the Iran ranks with his
direct running. However, too often the Port Authority player found himself
without support in the final third of the pitch.
Thailand's best chance of the half came in the 37th minute when Choketawee
Promut, the Thailand skipper, drove narrowly wide from 20 yards out.
Ali Daei, the 1999 AFC Player of the Year, was denied by the Thai keeper's
outstretched legs on 53minutes, Moments later, Arash Borhani rose well to but
could not control his header.
Iran continued to pile forward but stout defending by the Thais ensured the
scores stayed level until a fine piece of individual skill from Ali Karimi saw
the Al Ahli weave his way to the by-line before cutting the ball into the path
of substitute Gholamreza Enyati, who side-footed home from six yards out.
Iran doubled their lead on 80minutes when Nekounam nippd in front of the Thai
keeper to nod home Mahdavikia's free-kick.
Their tales up,Iran made it three four minutes from time when Karimi, who was
a nuisance all night for the Thai defence, was hacked down by Nataporn Panrit.
Daei stepped up to lash the penalty home to score his 95th international goal.
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