Host China aims for second win in Asian Games

GUANGZHOU - Chinese men's soccer team will desperately fight for their second victory over a low-profile Malaysia side on Saturday despite that a draw is enough for both teams to qualify for the last 16.

Four more teams will be eliminated from the 24-team tournament on Saturday. The top two of the six groups and four best third-placed teams can progress.

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Among them, Japan, Iran and DPR Korea are already assured of places in the last 16 after having collected maximum points from their first two games respectively in Groups A, B and C.

Following Japan in the group, Malaysia and China both get three points, but the host has one less goal difference. A defeat for either could see them knocked out.

"Of course, we will not only play for a last-16 berth, but also a good position in the group," China coach Sun Wei said, indicating that a victory is what they fight for.

China struck late to beat Kyrgyzstan 2-1 on Wednesday before losing its opener 3-0 to Japan, which aroused criticisms and disappointments from fans.

Sun clearly knew that it is a good chance to reprove his side's strength to the public at Tianhe Stadium Saturday night.

In Group B, Bahrain have no points from their first pair of matches but have an outside chance to qualify if they can overcome Turkmenistan by a large margin. Turkmenistan, with three points, are not yet assured a place in the next round, and will look to avoid defeat.

Vietnam is the same with three points. To progress, they will need at least one point from their match with leader Iran.

In Group C, Palestine and Jordan are both on one point and need to win their respective matches to stay in the tournament. Palestine must beat South Korea and Jordan must overcome DPR Korea, which are both big jobs.

South Korea, on three points, led by two wildcard players from the senior team, is still the favourite to claim gold despite losing their opener 1-0 to DPR Korea.