China open up Asian Cup qualifiers with 2-0 win
(www.yuzhongnet.com/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.