HONG KONG, Feb 18: South Korea, Japan and China got off to winning starts Wednesday on the long Asian march to the 2006 World Cup in Germany. But while South Korea, 2002 World Cup semifinalists and Asia's most successful representative in football's showcase, always looked in control in a 2-0 win over Lebanon, Japan and China left it late with single goal wins over Oman and Kuwait.

Goals in each half from Cha Du-Ri and Cho-Byung-Kuk handed all three points to the Koreans, who are bidding for their sixth straight appearance in the World Cup finals.

However, the Lebanese could have opened the score in the 30th minute when Mahmoud Chahoud was fouled in the area. Korean goalkeeper Lee Woon-Jae easily smothered the Mohammad Kassas spot kick.

Cha Du-Ri, who plays for Frankfurt in the German league, headed in a cross from Lee Young-Pyo, who plays for Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. Cho Byung-Kuk doubled the score in the 50th minute but, with 24 shots, Korea's Portuguese coach Humberto Coelho was disappointed with the finishing.

The victory put South Korea second on goal difference in Group 7 behind Vietnam, 4-0 winners over the Maldives. Japan needed a goal from substitute Tatsuhiko Kubo three minutes into added time to claim a 1-0 win over Oman at the Saitama Stadium north of Tokyo.

The Asian champions had promised all-out attack but were frustrated for long periods by poor finishing and an outstanding display from Oman keeper Ali Al Habsi.

Japan's Brazilian coach Zico was a relieved man but he revealed he had been confident Kubo would make the difference. Japan are level on points with India at the top of Group 3. The South Asian minnows were surprise 1-0 winners over Singapore.

The story of defeat for Middle East teams continued in Group 4, where China defeated 10-man Kuwait thanks to a 75th minute goal by striker Hao Haidong. Hao's superb play throughout paid off 15 minutes from time as he headed home a deep cross from by midfielder Zhao Hunzhe after Kuwait keeper Shehab Aha Kankune came off his line but failed to punch clear.

The win marked the first for China's Dutch coach Arie Haan, who has taken up the challenge of leading China to the World Cup again following the nation's first appearance in the tournament in 2002.

Kuwait failed to get a shot on goal in the entire match, sitting back and ultimately paying the price. Their night ended in shame when Fahad Al-Hamad was sent off for spitting on Chinese captain Li Weifeng. -AFP