|
Second-half China blitz sinks Malaysia
(footballasia.com)
Updated: 2004-10-04 08:52 China overcame first-half
jitters to beat gutsy hosts Malaysia 3-0 in the AFC Youth Championship on Sunday
and qualify for the World Youth Championship in the Netherlands next
year.
The Chinese had to work hard to dismantle Malaysia in their
quarter-final at Cheras Stadium in Kuala Lumpur but once they got their noses in
front in the second half, the result was never in doubt.
They face
a semi-final match against Syria on Wednesday in Ipoh. All four semi-finalists
from the AFC Youth Championship qualify for the world
event.
Chinese coach Yin Tiesheng was a relieved man, especially
after watching his side suffer a few heart-stopping moments in the first
half.
“It was a difficult match for us, especially in the first
half, so I’m very satisfied with the result and being able to qualify for the
world championship,” said Yin. “We can learn from this match and prepare for our
semi-final.”
Malaysian coach K. Rajagopal was proud of his players
despite the three second-half lapses.
“I was definitely surprised
at how well we played in the first half,” he said. “We could have even scored.
But I know that the effort we put in would take its toll in the second
half.
“China were physically bigger and we gave away three easy
goals. Still, a lot of positives can be taken from the first
half.”
China started with their tall and lanky striker, Zou You,
with the clear aim to dominate Malaysia in the air.
The Malaysians
countered by putting captain Hasmarul Fadzir, the home side’s tallest player, on
Zou but the 1.96-metre Chinese target man still towered over his marker quite
comfortably.
Malaysia could not be faulted for their effort against
the physically bigger and stronger opponents and were almost rewarded in the
15th minute.
Mohamad Aidil Zaufuan found himself in front of goal
with just the keeper to beat after a long-range shot had deflected on to his
path. But the awkward bounce and his own reticence saw the ball squirm
harmlessly away, much to the relief of Chinese goalkeeper Guan
Zhen.
In attacking, though, Malaysia would often forget the rare
but real danger posed by Zou, who failed to convert a free header on 21
minutes.
China controlled the midfield but were constantly on guard
against speedy counter attacks down the flanks through Kram Saramsak on the
right and Tengku Ahmad Tengku Qayyum on the left.
The teams went
into the break tied 0-0 with the home side possibly feeling they could have been
in front.
Indeed, it was something they would rue minutes after the
restart. Chinese midfielder, Chen Tao, their most dangerous player in the first
half, burst down the left and rounded the defence with his speed. Ingoring the
viable option to centre, Chen instead beat keeper Zainon Mohd Zulhaimi from a
tight angle for the opening goal.
Malaysia were buried four minutes
later when China scored their second. Zhou Haibin sent a pass from the right
across the face of the goal and Zou tucked it in at the far
post.
His goal came seconds after his marker, Fadzir, was
substituted. Zhou made it 3-0 in the 65th minutes with a shot from just outside
the area.
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
Today's
Top News |
|
|
|
Top Sports
News |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
