Sun ensures China’s best start
Print Edition
SUN Ke scored twice to steal the show again as China defeated North Korea 2-1 in Canberra yesterday to register its third win and best ever start to an Asian Cup.
In Melbourne, midfielder Sardor Rashidov scored a goal in each half to give Uzbekistan a 3-1 victory over Saudi Arabia and a spot in the Asian Cup quarterfinals. Uzbekistan will face South Korea in Melbourne after finishing second in Group B.
The in-form Sun, who scored a stunning winner against Uzbekistan, opened the scoring after just 45 seconds when he pounced on a hopeful long pass to poke the ball home. He grabbed his third of the tournament shortly before the break, heading home a cross by fullback Jiang Zhipeng that delighted the Chinese crowd in Canberra.
The brace repaid Alain Perrin’s decision to start the winger after his goal off the bench against the Uzbeks sent China into the knockout stages for the first time since 2004. “Sun Ke is a very good player, extremely skillful with lots of quality, and is playing with very strong self-confidence at the moment,” Perrin told reporters. “He is a crucial part of the team and is good with both feet. Because we don’t have many good forwards we play with a strategy that allows all of our attackers to have a chance to shoot and score,” the Frenchman added.
China, which was already assured of top spot in Group B and a Brisbane quarterfinal against Australia, has now won all three pool games — its best ever start.
North Korea emerged from the tunnel a different side for the second half. It made it 2-1 in the 56th minute when Jong Il-Gwan’s shot was cleared off the line by Zhang Linpeng, only for it to ricochet in off striker Gao Lin.
The North Koreans, who haven’t won an Asian Cup match since 1980, should have equalized just seconds later when an unmarked Jong headed over from close range. They doggedly pushed for a leveller and had a large crowd of 18,457 on their feet when substitute So Hyon-Uk crashed a powerful volley against the crossbar with 10 minutes remaining. But despite some late pot-shots and an injury-time header saved by goalkeeper Wang Dalei, there was to be no equalizer for the Koreans.
China’s win underlines its form ahead of Thursday’s quarterfinal clash against Australia, which Sun said would be a considerable step up in class. “Australia are a very strong team, they are the hosts and I’m sure the next match will be very difficult for us,” said Sun. “We just need to make sure we prepare well and stand tall.”
But Australian forward Tim Cahill yesterday warned China to expect a bruising encounter. “That’s how it’s going to be when we play China. We’re not going to be sidetracked by teams, because we believe (in) the way we play.”
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