AL-AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (AFP) - A spectacular goalkeeping blunder helped Marcello Lippi's China avoid a humiliating defeat as they came from behind to narrowly beat minnows Kyrgyzstan 2-1 at the Asian Cup on Monday (Jan 7).
The Central Asians, ranked 91st in the world and playing their first major tournament, bossed the first half and deservedly led 1-0 at the break of their Group C clash after Akhlidin Israilov's rasping strike.
But panicky Kyrgyz goalkeeper Pavel Matiash committed the howler of the Asian Cup so far, when he palmed the ball into his own net shortly after half-time, before Beijing Guoan forward Yu Dabao grabbed the winner 12 minutes before the end.
It spared China's blushes against a team of players who ply their trade in leagues as diverse as Bangladesh and the Turkish amateur ranks, while both Matiash and Israilov are clubless.
Lippi, who is expected to depart his post at the end of the Asian Cup, said he was "enormously unhappy" at China's first half, but proud of their revival.
"During the first half we weren't playing well, and I thought if we keep playing like that we're going to lose the match," said the 2006 World Cup-winning coach with Italy.
"After the reaction from my players in the second half, I'm happy that we won the three points."
Kyrgyzstan coach Alexandr Krestinin refused to blame his goalkeeper and said his team would keep fighting, with games against South Korea and the Philippines to come.
"We're not talking about the mistake from one person - it was the whole team that lost the game," he said. "We missed chances in the first half, but this is how the game is at big tournaments and we know that." .
Outrageous fortune
Kyrgyzstan were far from overawed by their Asian Cup debut as they attacked from the outset at Al Ain's sun-drenched Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium.
In an open first half, China's Wu Lei had the first shot in anger but Vitaly Lux should have scored for Kyrgyzstan on 26 minutes when he fired well over after a brilliant touch from Mirlan Murzaev.
Wu Xi, set up by Wu Lei, flashed one wide three minutes later but Kyrgyzstan were causing serious problems at the other end, with 14 players packing the six-yard box for one corner.
Lux could not get on the end of Bekzhan Sagynbaev's enticing header across the face of goal but it was not long before Kyrgyzstan's imaginative build-up play created the breakthrough.
Three minutes before half-time, Murzaev's header fell perfectly for Israilov just outside the box and the out-of-contract midfielder smashed his shot in off the right post.
Moments later, Lux had a gilt-edged opportunity to make it 2-0 but he poked his shot just wide when one-on-one with China goalkeeper Yan Junling.
China came out with renewed purpose after the break and they benefited from an outrageous piece of luck when Matiash handled into his own net on 50 minutes.
Matiash attempted to palm Bernhardt Edgar's defensive header from a corner over the bar but only succeeded in batting it over the line.
It took the wind out of the White Falcons' sails and as they tired, Wu Xi and Wu Lei both came close with headers - while Matiash nearly gifted them a second goal when he fumbled a back pass.
A Chinese winner looked inevitable and it was Yu who completed the turnaround, rounding Matiash and scoring from a tight angle on 78 minutes.
Chelsea can cope with transfer ban, says Sarri Maurizio Sarri says he is not worried about Chelsea's looming transfer embargo, insisting he has confidence in his squad as he targets a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Chelsea can cope with transfer ban, says Sarri - Afriupdate
6 Tips for Hammering and Forming Metal from Master Metalsmith Bill Fretz October 10, 2011 | Comment on this Article When I saw master metalsmith and toolmaker Bill Fretz 's first DVD about hammering and forming metal jewelry, I was amazed at how effortless and easy he made it look to create bangles using only brass tubing, hammers, and stakes.
Holding Out for the Best Framing Hammer | Pro Tool Reviews
SAN ANTONIO - First assistant Ettore Messina will handle the Spurs coaching duties again on Sunday while coach Gregg Popovich mourns the death of his wife.
"Hurt"- A San Antonio Spurs Tribute - YouTube
Pep Guardiola said his Manchester City team will be poised to pounce if Premier League leaders Liverpool falter, following a comfortable 3-0 win over Wolves on Monday that left City four points
Man City ready to pounce on any Liverpool slip-ups, says
Watford's Gray Strikes Late Winner to Spoil Rodgers' Leicester Debut Watford clinched victory in the second minute of added time as Troy Deeney latched on to a poor goal kick by Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel and fed substitute Gray who held his nerve to score.
Premier League: Leicester City 1-2 Watford: Gray's late
Southampton stun fading Spurs, Newcastle edge five-goal Everton thriller. Despite their poor domestic form of late, Spurs were boosted by victory at Borussia Dortmund in midweek to reach the
Starting this blog has been an adventure. I have never been so intimately linked with a football club and its fortunes. There were certainly many ups and downs, thrills and spills. The Good. Gaining an understanding of the Club. Through my limited interaction with the Club's staff, i gained a minor insight about how running a football club works.
17 Aug, 2014 by DhakaTribune - Issuu
Klopp cool on Mo's dry spell LONDON • Mohamed Salah has failed to find the net in eight games, but Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has shrugged off his indifferent form, jokingly saying that "his career is not over".
Is Jürgen Klopp Right Not To Worry About Mo Salah's Dry Spell
Football: Man City come from two goals down to reach FA Cup last four Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates with Bernardo Silva after scoring their third goal. PHOTO: REUTERS
Man City come from two goals down to reach FA Cup last four
"I'm not happy to play the second role. That's why I said next year I will need to have a more important role to play in the team." When asked whether he has already had offers to go elsewhere, Giroud added: "Yes but I won't reveal that now. The priority is Chelsea.
Giroud demands important role at Chelsea FC next season
Sport > Football > C1 > Liverpool > 'World record holder at winning semi-finals' - Klopp laughs off 'unlucky' tag By 24matins.uk with AFP, published 31 May 2019 at 17h23 BST . 2 minutes
'World record holder at winning semi-finals' - Klopp laughs
We are delighted to announce that the First Team squad will travel to Singapore and Shanghai as part of our pre-season tour in July in preparation for the 2019/20 season.
Tottenham heading to Singapore and Shanghai for preseason
Jimenez, Jota slay United as Wolves reach FA Cup semis Jota slay United as Wolves reach FA Cup semis Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United Wolves then took the game to United after
Jimenez, Jota slay United as Wolves reach FA Cup semis
0 comments:
Post a Comment