Hao's header brings China victory over Kuwait
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-02-19 09:04

A second-half header by veteran striker Hao Haidong handed China a 1-0 victory over Kuwait in their 2006 World Cup Asian opening qualifier Wednesday in Guangzhou.

China's forward Zhang Yuning is challenged by two Kuwait guards as he penetrates into Kuwait's half. [newsphoto]

The match turned sour thereafter as the Kuwaiti players got ill- tempered and committed many fouls. Fahad Al-Hamad was sent off in the closing moments for spitting at Chinese defender Li Weifeng on his face.

China coach Arie Haan, who had vowed to beat his Kuwaiti opponents by at least two goals, said he was satisfied with the result.

"My players have done a good job in the match," said the Dutchman at the post-match press conference.

"The first match is always the most difficult for the players after a long training," he added.

Haan's view was echoed by the 34-year-old Hao.

"Usually speaking, the opening match of a tournament is difficult to play," said Hao. "But I was lucky to score a goal in the match."

After squandering a string of chances in the first half, China could have taken the lead in the 64th minute when Hao fired a half- volley into the net from close range. But it was ruled out by the referee because the ball had crossed the base line.

The home side went into the Asian Zone Group Four match lively as they had three shots in the first 10 minutes.

Li went close to scoring in the 12th minute when his shot went just wide of the goal.

Center back Zheng Zhi then missed another golden chance. He raced into the penalty box after making a neat teamwork with Hao, but he kicked the ball high over the bar.

Kuwait, which had seemed to be content with a draw, created few scoring opportunities and had no shot at all during the match.

Kuwait coach Paulo Carpegiani expressed his disappointment at his side.

"We should have won the match, but we were not lucky today," said Carpegiani.

"I made a mistake. I chose a wrong forward for the game. He failed to perform to my expectation," he added.Hao's header brings China to 1-0 victory over Kuwait in World Cup qualifier (updated)

GUANGZHOU, South China, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) + A second-half header by veteran striker Hao Haidong handed China a 1-0 victory over Kuwait in their 2006 World Cup Asian opening qualifier here on Wednesday.

Hao, who had played a pivotal role in China's qualification to the 2002 World Cup, reaffirmed his place in the team as he headed home a right cross from midfielder Wei Xin in the 75th minute.

The match turned sour thereafter as the Kuwaiti players got ill- tempered and committed many fouls. Fahad Al-Hamad was sent off in the closing moments for spitting at Chinese defender Li Weifeng on his face.

China coach Arie Haan, who had vowed to beat his Kuwaiti opponents by at least two goals, said he was satisfied with the result.

"My players have done a good job in the match," said the Dutchman at the post-match press conference.

"The first match is always the most difficult for the players after a long training," he added.

Haan's view was echoed by the 34-year-old Hao.

"Usually speaking, the opening match of a tournament is difficult to play," said Hao. "But I was lucky to score a goal in the match."

After squandering a string of chances in the first half, China could have taken the lead in the 64th minute when Hao fired a half- volley into the net from close range. But it was ruled out by the referee because the ball had crossed the base line.

The home side went into the Asian Zone Group Four match lively as they had three shots in the first 10 minutes.

Li went close to scoring in the 12th minute when his shot went just wide of the goal.

Center back Zheng Zhi then missed another golden chance. He raced into the penalty box after making a neat teamwork with Hao, but he kicked the ball high over the bar.

Kuwait, which had seemed to be content with a draw, created few scoring opportunities and had no shot at all during the match.

Kuwait coach Paulo Carpegiani expressed his disappointment at his side.

"We should have won the match, but we were not lucky today," said Carpegiani.

"I made a mistake. I chose a wrong forward for the game. He failed to perform to my expectation," he added.