DUBAI • Hwang Ui-jo scored nine goals to usurp his more illustrious compatriot Son Heung-min in South Korea's 2018 Asian Games gold-winning campaign.
In the absence of the Tottenham Hotspur star, the Gamba Osaka man turned out to be the hero again yesterday, scoring the winner as the Asian Cup contenders toiled to a 1-0 Group C opening win over debutants Philippines despite having over 80 per cent of the ball.
The in-form Son, with nine goals in 10 games for Spurs, will join the team after the Premier League match with Manchester United, meaning he would be available only for the final game against China.
Philippines coach Sven-Goran Eriksson had promised to give the Asian powerhouses a fight and the AFF Suzuki Cup semi-finalists nearly scored first. Korea, the 2015 runners-up who are hoping to win their first Asian Cup since 1960, were indebted to Kim Seung-gyu.
The goalkeeper dived to his right to deny Javier Patino in the 54th minute before Hwang scored the winner 13 minutes later.
In the other Group C game, a double goalkeeping blunder helped China come from behind to beat the 91st-ranked Kyrgyzstan 2-1.
The Central Asians bossed the first half on their Cup debut and forced Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi into introducing a 24th-minute substitute, Yu Dabao, who turned out to be the match-winner.
While they deservedly led 1-0 at the break after Akhlidin Israilov's rasping strike, they were undone by their goalkeeper Pavel Matiash. First, he palmed the ball into his net shortly after half-time. Then he was caught in no-man's land before he was rounded by Beijing Guoan forward Yu 12 minutes from the end.
Lippi was "enormously unhappy" about the 76th-ranked China's first half, saying: "I thought if we keep playing like that, we're going to lose. The goalkeeper's error, it's very lucky. After that, we created many chances, I am proud of what we showed in the second half. "
Meanwhile, Thailand sacked coach Milovan Rajevac seven hours after Sunday's 4-1 loss to India.
The Serb was already under pressure going into the quadrennial tournament. Last month, he failed in the defence of the country's Asean title, albeit with a weakened team, losing to Malaysia in the semi-finals on the away-goals rule.
Assistant coach Sirisak Yodyathai was appointed as acting coach, with Group A games against Bahrain (on Thursday) and host United Arab Emirates to come.
Football Association of Thailand president Somyot Poompanmoung said: "Like all Thai football fans, I am also disappointed with the result. But, as the FA president, I cannot stand still with this problem."
Rajevac, 65, was hired in April 2017 to replace Kiatisuk Senamuang after spells with Qatar and Algeria.
He was best known for guiding Ghana to the last eight of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and was voted the confederation's Coach of the Year.
But his pragmatism, preferring to counter attack at times, has won few fans, who want to see a more attacking Thailand instead of a direct style with long balls.
Ironically, India were able to hit them on the counter repeatedly in the second half and scored thrice.
Former Socceroo Robert Cornthwaite tweeted: "The Thai fans and media wanted to see a more attacking side but at what cost? Lost their defensive stability and already conceded twice inside 50 minutes."
Thailand, appearing for the first time since co-hosting the Cup in 2007, have now won just one of 21 games at the continent's showcase competition.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Arsenal returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over bottom side Huddersfield Town on Saturday, but remain the only side without an away clean she Iwobi, Lacazette lead Arsenal to win at
Alex Iwobi, Alexandre Lacazette lead Arsenal to win at
Europa League semi-finals confirmed: Arsenal vs Valencia, Chelsea vs Eintracht Frankfurt Arsenal vs Valencia; But Arsenal coach Unai Emery knows he must field his strongest XI if he wants
Football: Spanish LaLiga unaware of English Premier League
The homes of Alves' team mates Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Thiago Silva were also broken into in November and December during matches, L'Equipe said. Burglars entered Alves house in Neuilly-sur-Seine, just outside of Paris, on Wednesday while he was playing a Ligue 1 match against Montpellier.
PSG's Dani Alves house burgled during match - L'Equipe
Home » News » Sports » Messi's motivation spurs on Barcelona, says Rakitic. Messi's motivation spurs on Barcelona, says Rakitic. On April 30, 2019 11:59 pm In Sports by adekunle Comments.
Messi's motivation spurs on Barcelona, says Rakitic | Aaj News
Guardiola hopes Champions League pain spurs on Manchester City By superliga On Apr 19, 2019 0 Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Pep Guardiola wants the pain of Manchester City 's gut-wrenching Champions League elimination at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur to inspire a charge for an unprecedented domestic treble.
EUROPEAN FOOTBALL Liverpool coach Klopp condemns 'disgusting' Salah abuse ahead of Chelsea clash A video circulated on social media ahead of Chelsea's Europa League match at Slavia Prague showed
Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp condemns 'disgusting' Mohamed Salah
Football: Australian Joe Palatsides set to replace Belgian Michel Sablon as FAS' new technical director. straitstimes.com - DAVID LEE. SINGAPORE - The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has cast its new wide and far for a new technical director and could well have settled on …
FAS - Football Association of Singapore
Jun 06, 2019 · Ghost Ship trial: A weary dad sits in court every day, missing his daughter deserves blame. So too, Serra said, does the city for failing to do something about the conditions in the warehouse
Croatia Digs Deeper, Burying England's World Cup Dreams - The
Jan 06, 2016 · Feelings of insecurity can motivate someone to play hard to get. In a marriage, the results can backfire. However, experts say, exploring why you have these desires can help you identify where a
The Scientific Reason Playing Hard To Get - Elite Daily
The Premier League voiced "significant concerns" over potential reforms to the Champions League on Friday, saying the changes would damage the thriving domestic game. Reported reforms being put forward for further discussion include changing the current group stage from eight groups of four to four groups of eight, guaranteeing clubs far
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud wants to move back to France when his contract expires at the end of the season after growing frustrated by a lack of playing time under manager Maurizio Sarri.
Chelsea's Giroud seeks France return to boost game time
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen