Australia, Japan, ROK take Asia's Olympic berths
SINGAPORE: Australia, Japan and Republic of Korea (ROK) booked their places at next year's Beijing Olympic football tournament after draws with Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, respectively, on Wednesday.
They join host China, which qualified automatically, as Asia's four representatives at next year's showpiece event.
Australia ground out a 1-1 draw against DPRK in Pyongyang while Japan held Saudi Arabia 0-0 in Tokyo and ROK did the same with Bahrain in Seoul.
Australia's men have never missed an Olympics since football was opened to professionals in 1988, but this is the first time the country has qualified through Asia.
DPRK dominated in the opening half and the Aussies trailed to Pak Chol-min's 10th-minute strike at the break.
But the Olyroos knuckled down and were back on level terms 20 minutes from time when skipper Mark Milligan looped a header into the net, although it appeared to strike the hand of Adrian Leijer before crossing the line.
Syrian referee Muhsen Basma allowed the goal to stand despite Korean protests and the game ended in a 1-1 draw allowing Australia to qualify at the expense of Iraq.
"We are very honored because we are the first Australian football team that has qualified for a major tournament for Asia," Australian coach Graham Arnold said.
"We're learning a lot in Asia with the conditions ... that we're not used to as Australians. We played North Korea here ... in freezing cold weather. So I'm very proud of my players."
In Tokyo, Japan only needed a point to confirm its place and it did what was required.
"We couldn't play our game because of the Saudi attacks, but I was able to accomplish my mission," said Japan Olympic coach Yasuharu Sorimachi.
"We once fell to the nether world after losing to Qatar, but it made us tougher, we became stronger mentally.
"The national coach (Ivica Osim, who suffered a stroke last week) has been worrying about the result, so I feel relieved that I can report a good result to him.
"We must improve our game further before the Beijing Olympics," added Sorimachi.
Saudi Arabia had its chance in the first half, most notably when midfielder Saleh Abdullah Al Ghwainim fired a close-range shot, which Japanese goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa gathered.
Five minutes later, forward Mohammed Ibrahim Al Sahlawi's shot in the area was cleared by defender Hajime Hosogai.
But Japan completely dominated the second half and it was unlucky not to collect all three points.
Group B was a tighter affair with ROK on 11 points to Bahrain's 10, but the Koreans did enough at the Seoul World Cup Stadium to secure the point they needed, clinching the country's sixth straight Olympic berth.
Both sides had scoring chances but neither capitalized in a nervy game.
"It was a difficult game, and I feel fortunate to be through to the Olympics," Korean manager Park Sung-hwa said.
"We just have to get our offense sorted. Adding players and changing strategies will be the way to go."
AFP
(China Daily 11/23/2007 page23)
