Camacho under pressure after another China loss
Source: AFP |
February 8, 2013, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
VETERAN Spanish coach Jose Antonio Camacho's tenure as China boss suffered another blow on Wednesday as his misfiring side was beaten 1-2 away by Saudi Arabia in its opening 2015 Asian Cup qualifier.
The 57-year-old former Spain and Real Madrid handler has come under increasing pressure since China crashed out of World Cup qualifying and losing four friendlies since June last year, including an 8-0 drubbing by Brazil, winning just once.
His Saudi counterpart, compatriot Juan Ramon Lopez Caro, however, will be delighted as his side won in his first competitive game in charge since replacing Frank Rijkaard, who was sacked last month after a poor showing at the Gulf Cup.
The Saudis took the lead through Fahad Al Muwallad in the 23rd minute only for China to level six minutes later as Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder Zhao Xuri shot home from the edge of the area after being set up by Yu Hanchao.
However, the visitors could not hold out and three-time champion Saudi took the points thanks to a goal by substitute Naif Hazzazi 13 minutes from time.
China has reached the last 10 Asian Cup finals but with 2007 champion Iraq having begun with a 1-0 home win over Indonesia, it faces a tough task to make it 11 in Australia.
Earlier, Javad Nekounam starred with a hat-trick as three-time champion Iran kick-started its qualifying campaign with a crushing 5-0 victory over Lebanon. The ex-Osasuna man slotted penalties either side of half-time and added the host's fifth and final goal while Standard Liege striker Reza Ghoochannejhad weighed in with a brace at Tehran's Azadi Stadium.
The rousing win made Iran early favorite to join Japan, host nation Australia and South Korea, which finished first, second and third in 2011, at the Asian Cup's next edition in early 2015.
Chinese Hong Kong turned up with an injury-depleted squad in Uzbekistan and the outlook looked even bleaker for Kim Pan-Gon's men when midfielder Lo Kwan Yee was sent off after 58 minutes. But the visitors held firm for a 0-0 draw.
The 57-year-old former Spain and Real Madrid handler has come under increasing pressure since China crashed out of World Cup qualifying and losing four friendlies since June last year, including an 8-0 drubbing by Brazil, winning just once.
His Saudi counterpart, compatriot Juan Ramon Lopez Caro, however, will be delighted as his side won in his first competitive game in charge since replacing Frank Rijkaard, who was sacked last month after a poor showing at the Gulf Cup.
The Saudis took the lead through Fahad Al Muwallad in the 23rd minute only for China to level six minutes later as Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder Zhao Xuri shot home from the edge of the area after being set up by Yu Hanchao.
However, the visitors could not hold out and three-time champion Saudi took the points thanks to a goal by substitute Naif Hazzazi 13 minutes from time.
China has reached the last 10 Asian Cup finals but with 2007 champion Iraq having begun with a 1-0 home win over Indonesia, it faces a tough task to make it 11 in Australia.
Earlier, Javad Nekounam starred with a hat-trick as three-time champion Iran kick-started its qualifying campaign with a crushing 5-0 victory over Lebanon. The ex-Osasuna man slotted penalties either side of half-time and added the host's fifth and final goal while Standard Liege striker Reza Ghoochannejhad weighed in with a brace at Tehran's Azadi Stadium.
The rousing win made Iran early favorite to join Japan, host nation Australia and South Korea, which finished first, second and third in 2011, at the Asian Cup's next edition in early 2015.
Chinese Hong Kong turned up with an injury-depleted squad in Uzbekistan and the outlook looked even bleaker for Kim Pan-Gon's men when midfielder Lo Kwan Yee was sent off after 58 minutes. But the visitors held firm for a 0-0 draw.
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