Cup shocks continue as Qatar hold Japan
HANOI: Qatar stunned defending champions Japan with a late equalizer to earn a 1-1 draw in their Asian Cup opener yesterday, but it ended on a sour note with Hussain Yaser and coach Dzemaludin Musovic sent off.
It was an uninspiring start to Japan's bid for a third straight continental title.
They looked to have three points in the bag after Frankfurt striker Naohiro Takahara broke the deadlock in the 61st minute when he slammed home a cross from the right by utility man Yasuyuki Konno.
But dangerous Uruguayan-born forward Sebastian Soria equalized two minutes from time when he stroked home a 20-meter free kick through a tight wall after he was bundled over by Yuki Abe.
It means unfancied hosts Vietnam find themselves at the top of Group B after upsetting Gulf Cup champions United Arab Emirates 2-0 on Sunday.
Japan coach Ivica Osim insisted he was not shocked by the result, saying being unlucky was an "element of football."
"To be frank, I was surprised at how our players performed. They played good football," said the gruff 66-year-old Bosnian.
"The problem is Japan have not reached a level where they can turn beauty into efficiency. Today's match is over. We must think about the next game."
Japan face United Arab Emirates on Friday.
AFP
(China Daily 07/10/2007 page24)
