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Asian Cup Qualification Round-Up: Victories For Japan, UAE & Syria, Kuwait & Jordan Advance
Japan,Syria and UAE all picked up the full three points, while a draw against Oman was enough for Kuwait to advance. Elsewhere, Jordan took full advantage of Thailand's loss against Iran...
Mar 3, 2010 5:50:00 PM
By Stefan Coerts
Group A
Japan 2-0 Bahrain
Hong Kong 0-0 Yemen
Group B
Oman 0-0 Kuwait
Group C
Uzbekistan 0-1 UAE
Group D
Syria 4-0 Lebanon
Group E
Iran 1-0 Thailand
Jordan 2-1 Singapore
Japan 2-0 Bahrain
With both sides already qualified for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup Qatar, there was nothing left to play for but prestige. Japan were eager to record a good result at home though and started the match with attacking intentions. They picked up a deserved lead in the first half after Shinji Okazaki found the net with a good header after 36 minutes of play to make it 1-0 for the World Cup contenders. Bahrain did their utmost to restore parity in the second half, but they were unable to beat the Japanese goalie. CSKA Moscow star Keisuke Honda then decided the match with a goal in the final quarter of the game to help Japan to a solid 2-0 home win.
Hong Kong 0-0 Yemen
Both Hong Kong and Yemen were already eliminated, but Yemen coach Srecko Juricic was determined to record a good result in Wednesday's Asian Cup Qualifier. However, neither of the two sides was able to impress in a disappointing encounter. Both goalkeepers kept a clean sheet to see the match end in a scoreless draw.
Oman 0-0 Kuwait
Oman desperately needed the full three points to secure a third consecutive AFC Asian Cup finals appearance, while Kuwait only needed a draw. The hosts did their utmost to record a win, but the Kuwaiti defence turned out to be too strong for Oman. The scoreless draw means that Kuwait advance, while Oman are eliminated.
Uzbekistan 0-1 UAE
Uzbekistan and UAE had already qualified for the 2011 finals, but both teams still targeted a win on Wednesday. However, the defences of both teams appeared to be too strong for their opponents' attacks until the away side broke the deadlock in the dying minutes of the game. Ahmed Khalil forged down the right flank before settimg up fellow substitute Sultan Al Menhali, who found the net from close range.
Syria 4-0 Lebanon
The home side needed the full three points in order to finish atop of the table ahead of China and eventually cruised to a comfortable 4-0 victory after leading 2-0 at the interval. Syria started the match brilliantly and needed only four minutes to open the score via Mohammad Al Zino. The hosts kept on attacking after the opener and Abdulfatah Al Agha doubled his side's lead after ten minutes of play. Lebanon were unable to do anything back and things got even worse minutes after the break when Jehad Al Hussien made it three for the Syrians. Substitute midfielder Al Housain darted into the Lebanon penalty area at the hour mark before beating Lebanon goalie Mehanna with a cool finish.
Iran 1-0 Thailand
Thailand needed the full three points to be certain of qualification for the 2011 Asian Cup, but Bryan Robson's men failed to find the net in Teheran. Iran never looked like losing in Wednesday's game, even though Thailand went all out attack in the final quarter of the game. Thailand were eventually hit on the counter attack well into stoppage time. Javad Nekounam scored the only goal of the match to end Thailand's ambition of making it to Qatar next year.
Jordan 2-1 Singapore
Jordan started well and it did not take long for them to open the scoring when Odai Al Saify headed home Amer Deeb's cross with less than 10 minutes on the clock. The away side weren't impressed too much though and Noh Alam Shah restored parity minutes after the break. Jordan hit back at the hour mark though and it was Anas Bani Yaseen who helped his team to the full three points, thus securing Jordan's place at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 finals.
Japan 2-0 Bahrain
Hong Kong 0-0 Yemen
Group B
Oman 0-0 Kuwait
Group C
Uzbekistan 0-1 UAE
Group D
Syria 4-0 Lebanon
Group E
Iran 1-0 Thailand
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Japan 2-0 Bahrain
With both sides already qualified for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup Qatar, there was nothing left to play for but prestige. Japan were eager to record a good result at home though and started the match with attacking intentions. They picked up a deserved lead in the first half after Shinji Okazaki found the net with a good header after 36 minutes of play to make it 1-0 for the World Cup contenders. Bahrain did their utmost to restore parity in the second half, but they were unable to beat the Japanese goalie. CSKA Moscow star Keisuke Honda then decided the match with a goal in the final quarter of the game to help Japan to a solid 2-0 home win.
Hong Kong 0-0 Yemen
Both Hong Kong and Yemen were already eliminated, but Yemen coach Srecko Juricic was determined to record a good result in Wednesday's Asian Cup Qualifier. However, neither of the two sides was able to impress in a disappointing encounter. Both goalkeepers kept a clean sheet to see the match end in a scoreless draw.
Oman 0-0 Kuwait
Oman desperately needed the full three points to secure a third consecutive AFC Asian Cup finals appearance, while Kuwait only needed a draw. The hosts did their utmost to record a win, but the Kuwaiti defence turned out to be too strong for Oman. The scoreless draw means that Kuwait advance, while Oman are eliminated.
Uzbekistan 0-1 UAE
Uzbekistan and UAE had already qualified for the 2011 finals, but both teams still targeted a win on Wednesday. However, the defences of both teams appeared to be too strong for their opponents' attacks until the away side broke the deadlock in the dying minutes of the game. Ahmed Khalil forged down the right flank before settimg up fellow substitute Sultan Al Menhali, who found the net from close range.
Syria 4-0 Lebanon
The home side needed the full three points in order to finish atop of the table ahead of China and eventually cruised to a comfortable 4-0 victory after leading 2-0 at the interval. Syria started the match brilliantly and needed only four minutes to open the score via Mohammad Al Zino. The hosts kept on attacking after the opener and Abdulfatah Al Agha doubled his side's lead after ten minutes of play. Lebanon were unable to do anything back and things got even worse minutes after the break when Jehad Al Hussien made it three for the Syrians. Substitute midfielder Al Housain darted into the Lebanon penalty area at the hour mark before beating Lebanon goalie Mehanna with a cool finish.
Iran 1-0 Thailand
Thailand needed the full three points to be certain of qualification for the 2011 Asian Cup, but Bryan Robson's men failed to find the net in Teheran. Iran never looked like losing in Wednesday's game, even though Thailand went all out attack in the final quarter of the game. Thailand were eventually hit on the counter attack well into stoppage time. Javad Nekounam scored the only goal of the match to end Thailand's ambition of making it to Qatar next year.
Jordan 2-1 Singapore
Jordan started well and it did not take long for them to open the scoring when Odai Al Saify headed home Amer Deeb's cross with less than 10 minutes on the clock. The away side weren't impressed too much though and Noh Alam Shah restored parity minutes after the break. Jordan hit back at the hour mark though and it was Anas Bani Yaseen who helped his team to the full three points, thus securing Jordan's place at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 finals.
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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