Yang hat-trick in Thimpu triumph, host Japan held
Print Edition
CHINA unsurprisingly claimed a victory in its opening 2018 World Cup Asian qualifying Group C match, beating Bhutan 6-0 in Thimphu last night.
Bhutan goalkeeper Hari Gurung caught the ball outside of the box just eight minutes into the game. The Indian referee took a lenient view and did not show the 23-year-old the red card, but he gave China a free kick from the top of the box.
Despite the visitors dominating possession, Bhutan almost managed a clean sheet in the first half before striker Yang Xu finally seized a chance in the last minute to give China a 1-0 lead before the break.
China’s second goal came in the 54th. Midfielder Wu Lei’s header on a corner pass was blocked by Gurung but Wu’s second header attempt from the same spot went into the net and opened the floodgates. Yang scored in the 59th and 75th to complete his hat-trick. Striker Yu Dabao, who came on as a substitute in the 60th, added two of his own in the 65th and 82nd.
Bhutan has one of the world’s youngest national teams, as most of its players are students or amateurs.
China will take on Hong Kong next in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, on September 3.
In other qualifiers yesterday, Asian powerhouse Japan was held 0-0 at home by Singapore in a Group E match. Asian Cup bronze medalist, the United Arab Emirates edged East Timor 1-0 in a Group A clash. North Korea beat Uzbekistan 4-2 in Group H while tiny Guam upset India 2-1 in Group D.
Japan dominated at Saitama Stadium but couldn’t find a way to beat Singapore goalkeeper Izwan Bin Mahbud, who produced some spectacular saves.
One of Bin Mahbud’s best saves was when he swatted away Shinji Okazaki’s header just before it crossed the line, 10 minutes after halftime.
Moments later, the Singapore ‘keeper dived to his left to get a hand on a Keisuke Honda header. Honda had another golden opportunity when his free kick from 25 meters hit the post in the 72nd.
Singapore’s German coach Bernd Stange, under-fire after some poor results including a 2-2 friendly draw at home to Guam in March, had said pre-match it would be a “world sensation” if his 154th FIFA-ranked side could hold Japan to a draw.
Singapore surprisingly leads Group E with four points. Syria has three, while Japan, bidding for its sixth straight World Cup berth, has just one.
Japan next faces Cambodia at home in September while Singapore is away to Syria, which beat Afghanistan 6-0 in their opener on Thursday.
Guam pulled off only its second qualifying win when it beat India 2-1. Guam’s first successful qualifier was last week, against Turkmenistan 1-0.
Brandon McDonald put the hosts ahead in the 38th in Tamuning, and Travis Nicklaw doubled the advantage in the 62nd. Sunil Chhetri pulled one back in stoppage time but India was handed its second defeat.
North Korea scored four first-half goals en route to a 4-2 win over Uzbekistan to top Group H with its second win. Uzbekistan got late goals from Igor Sergeev and Sardor Rashidov but remained winless.
Omar Abdulrahman scored with 10 minutes to go for the UAE to beat hosts East Timor 1-0, and lead Group A.
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