China

China reaps victories in soccer, table tennis

(CRIENGLISH.com)
Updated: 2006-12-02 09:26

Chinese girls enjoy a good beginning in soccer and table tennis on November 30, one day before the 15th Asian Games is officially kicked off in Doha, Qatar.

In their first preliminary group match, Chinese women footballers trashed their Thai counterparts 7-0, highlighted by striker Han Duan’s hat trick.

Center back Yuan Fan also contributed two goals in the easy game.

However, China’s victory is eclipsed by Japan, who now heads group A on points and goal difference after their 13–0 destruction of Jordan.

In group B, North Korea, another favourite for gold in the women’s football, crushed Vietnam 5-0.

In table tennis, China cruised past Japan in the women's team quarter-finals with a 3-0 victory, while Singapore, North and South Korea also qualifying for the next round.

In men’s quarterfinals, favourites China faced host Qatar and ran out comfortable winners by 3–0.

Chinese Taipei followed China’s example and overwhelmed Vietnam, once again 3–0.

The most exciting encounter in the evening was the duel that ebbed and flowed between Hong Kong and Japan – which ended going to five sets and saw Hong Kong get through.

In men’s basketball, defending champion South Korea and Qatar both collected easy wins in the opening matches of the second-round competitions.

South Korea downed Bahrain 106-80 in the Group A, and host Qatar grabbed a 99-59 victory over Syria in the same group.