China Tops Group BOn October 16, China beat Indonesia in Lebanon 2000 Asian Cup. A three-goal blast in the opening minutes was enough to help China to a comfortable 4-0 win and all three points in their Group B clash with Indonesia.The victory gives China four points after two matches following their opening draw with ROK and this game was over as a contest after just 10 minutes as Li Ming, Shen Si and Yang Chen all struck early to give Bora Milutinovic's side victory. Qi Hong added a fourth, one minute from time. Indonesia, who had battled to hold Kuwait to a goal-less draw in their opening match, were no match for the physically superior Chinese as they pressed home their advantage right from the start. Dalian Shide midfielder Li Ming gave China the lead after just two minutes when he headed home Xu Yulong's in-swinging cross from the right. Six minutes later Shen Si doubled China's advantage from the penalty spot after Indonesia's Nur'alim up-ended Yang Chen in the penalty area. And, within another two minutes, the Chinese were 3-0 up when Yang beat the Indonesian defence to Li Tie's cross from the left to head in at the near post. Despite their advantage, the Chinese continued to push forward. But sloppy finishing and a lack of concentration stopped them from adding to their advantage until the dying minutes. Yang should have had a second just before the half-hour mark but he sent a free header over the bar from Ma Mingyu's cross. He went close again in injury time, hitting the cross bar from the edge of the box. Li Tie then hit the woodwork nine minutes into the second half as China maintained the pressure. And while Indonesia had their chances - the best falling to Rochi Putiray after 20 minutes when his shot was well saved by Jiang Jin as the Chinese keeper beat the ball away with his legs - the South East Asian nation were no matches for their eastern counterparts. Qi, who plays his club football for Shanghai, completed the scoring in the 89th minute when, after being released by Li Tie, he danced past through the Indonesian defence to score. |
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