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Kuwait Surprise South Korea, China Rout Indonesia
The underdogs Kuwait produced the first upset of the Asian Cup as they surprised South Korea 1-0 on Monday with Bashar Abdallah's first-half goal.
This victory unloaded the pressure in the final phase of the first round for Kuwait when they face China, who routed Indonesia 4-0 earlier in the other Group B game.
With one point each for the four teams after the opening games, Saturday's wins almost assured China and Kuwait of the qualifications of the quarter-finals, which bracket the first two teams of each of the three groups and two third-placers with the best results in the first round.
The Kuwait's creative organisation in the midfield was always the threat to Korea's defence, but it was a counter attack that shatter the South Koreans.
Abdallah broke away in the center and handled a precise through ball which gave Kuwait the lead for good in the injury time before the break.
Korea's attacking force had little to do in the lack-luster second half as their opponents grouped the players in the defence to protect the tiny lead.
It was a quick win for the Chinese, who were held a 2-2 tie by a 10-man South Korea in the last game, as they hit the target three times in the first 10 minutes.
Midfielder Li Ming scored the fastest goal of the tournament just one minute and 20 seconds into the game with a powerful header.
Germany-based striker Yang Chen was awarded a penalty kick in the seventh minute and Shen Si converted the goal, followed by Yang's strike to extend the lead to 3-0.
Substitute Qi Hong sealed the victory after 10 minutes on the pitch when he beat two defenders in the box to fire the fourth goal of the game one minute from time.
"We played an intelligent and fast game, and now we are assured to qualify for the quarter-finals," said Yugoslav Bora Milutinovic, the Chinese head coach.
"Indonesia are out of the class of China, but three goals in 10 minute are too much," said Indonesia coach Nandar Lskandar.
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