Qatar stunned defending champions Japan with a late equalizer to
earn a 1-1 draw in their Asian Cup opener yesterday, but it ended
on a sour note with Hussain Yaser and coach Dzemaludin Musovic sent
off.
It was an uninspiring start to Japan's bid for a third straight
continental title.
They looked to have three points in the bag after Frankfurt
striker Naohiro Takahara broke the deadlock in the 61st minute when
he slammed home a cross from the right by utility man Yasuyuki
Konno.
But dangerous Uruguayan-born forward Sebastian Soria equalized
two minutes from time when he stroked home a 20-meter free kick
through a tight wall after he was bundled over by Yuki Abe.
It means unfancied hosts Vietnam find themselves at the top of
Group B after upsetting Gulf Cup champions United Arab Emirates 2-0
on Sunday.
Japan coach Ivica Osim insisted he was not shocked by the
result, saying being unlucky was an "element of football."
"To be frank, I was surprised at how our players performed. They
played good football," said the gruff 66-year-old Bosnian.
"The problem is Japan have not reached a level where they can
turn beauty into efficiency. Today's match is over. We must think
about the next game."
Japan face United Arab Emirates on Friday.
(China Daily via AFP July 10, 2007)