DOHA, Qatar _ South Korea needed less than two minutes Tuesday to show why it's a favorite to win its fourth Asian Games soccer title.

With the opening ceremonies still three days away, the 2002 World Cup semifinalists kicked off the first official competition at the 15th version of the regional games by beating Bangladesh 3-0.

Lee Chun-soo scored in the second minute while most of the fans were still settling into their seats at Al-Gharrafa Football Stadium.

In other early matches Tuesday, Thailand beat Palestine 1-0 and Uzbekistan edged the United Arab Emirates 2-1.

South Korea's offense sputtered after the early goal, and the winners didn't increase their lead until the 58th minute, when Park Chu Young scored the first of his two goals. Park, who came off the bench in the second half, added another goal in the 73rd.

"I watched the first half from the bench ... we didn't play very well," said Park. "In the second half we did much better and I could play an important role in it."

The Koreans have won 41 Asian Cup matches, more than any other team in the history of the event.

Suchao Nutnum scored Thailand's only goal in the 11th minute. Alexander Geynrikh scored a pair of goals for Uzbekistan _ in the 44th and 55th minute _ while Adel Al Marzooqi had the United Arab Emirates' only goal in the 69th minute.

Later Tuesday, Qatar thrilled the home crowd with a 3-0 win over Jordan, Bahrain beat Vietnam 2-1 and Kuwait downed Kyrgyzstan 3-0.

Table tennis and baseball get under way Wednesday, part of the 39-sport games which involve 10,500 athletes and end on December 15.

North Korea's team, wearing bright blue blazers and red lapel pins bearing the likeness of the country's enigmatic leader Kim Jong II, arrived Tuesday for its official welcoming ceremony and flag raising. The team at the ceremony included about 90 athletes, trainers and officials.

A senior official said the team is planning to march together with the South Koreans under a "unification flag" in the opening ceremonies Friday.

"We are hopeful of doing that," said the official, who refused to be further identified.

North Korea's participation in the games comes as tensions over its development of nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missiles have risen dramatically.

In other Games news Tuesday, Chinese officials said its two world top-ranked table tennis players would not take part in order to allow the team to "test our less experienced players."

Men's world No. 1 Wang Liqin and women's top-ranked Zhang Yining will not compete in Doha, said team official Huang Biao.

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