Son fails to shine as S. Korea reigns over Bahrain

DOHA — South Korea launched its campaign for a first Asian Cup trophy since 1960 with a 3-1 win over Bahrain, while fellow former champion Iraq beat Indonesia by the same scoreline Monday.

In the last game of the day, Jordan thrashed Malaysia 4-0 with Mahmoud Al-Mardi and Mousa Al-Tamari both scoring twice.

Paris Saint-Germain's Lee Kang-in upstaged Son Heungmin with two goals for Jurgen Klinsmann's South Korea, which is among the favorites for the title in Qatar.

Lee has impressed at PSG since joining from Mallorca last summer, and he pulled Klinsmann's side out of a tough spot against a spirited Bahrain, which equalized early in the second half.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder showcased his sublime skills to claim all three points for the Koreans.

His player-of-the-match display stood in stark contrast to skipper and Tottenham Hotspur striker Son.

He was guilty of squandering two glaring chances and suffered the indignity of being shown a late yellow card for diving in the Bahrain box.

Son is eyeing something "special" at his fourth Asian Cup, but warned his side it will not come easy.

Japan, Australia, Iran and Saudi Arabia have all been touted as serious contenders, along with host and reigning champion Qatar.

"We have a fantastic team and we have amazingly talented players, but it's all about commitment," Son said.

"We have an unbelievable team, but we haven't won it for 64 years. We have just one aim — to make it a special year with this team."

After a slow start to his tenure, German legend Klinsmann has seen his South Korean side hit form at the right time.

As well as a red-hot Lee, it also boasts Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae and Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-chan, who has scored 10 times in the Premier League this season.

South Korea faces Jordan on Saturday in its next Group E fixture.

Indonesia left fuming

In a group that includes hotly tipped Japan, Iraq was made to work by Indonesia before also running out 3-1 winner.

Iraq, the 2007 Asian champion, pummeled Indonesia 5-1 in Basra during World Cup qualifying in November, and defeated coach Shin Tae-yong pledged before this game that his team would come back stronger.

His young Indonesia side, with eight of its starters born this century, gave a much better account of themselves in front of a raucous crowd of 16,532.

But Iraq repeatedly threatened to get behind Indonesia's back line and on 16 minutes they did, when Mohanad Ali barged his way through to blast the ball into the top-right corner.

Indonesia, however, drew level 20 minutes later, when the 19-year-old Marselino Ferdinan slotted the ball in at the far post.

Osamah Rashid stroked the ball home to ensure a 2-1 halftime lead for Iraq before, 15 minutes from the end, Aymen Hussein blasted in from close range to make the Group D clash safe.

While accepting that Iraq was the better side, Shin fumed afterwards about what he claimed was an offside during Iraq's second goal.

"It was 100 percent offside. This kind of wrong decision-making from referees will sully the image of the Asian Cup," he said.

AFP