Japan clinch victory against Oman: Qatar sack coach after defeat
BEIJING, July 20: Holders Japan overcame a brave challenge from Oman to clinch a 1-0 victory in their opening match while their former coach Philippe Troussier was dramatically fired by Qatar at the Asian Cup on Tuesday.
Iran's talisman Ali Daei scored his 95th goal in 126 internationals in his side's 3-0 victory over Thailand in the second Group D game in Chongqing. Japan, who won the Asian Cup title under Troussier in Lebanon four years ago, struggled against an Oman team they had beaten, also 1-0, in a World Cup qualifier in February.
Midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura scored a brilliant winner in the 34th minute, skipping past two tackles before curling a left-foot shot past Oman goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi from 15 metres.
Troussier became the first managerial casualty of a tournament already plagued by political controversy. The Frenchman had already announced he would quit after the Asian Cup but the Qatar Football Association (QFA) decided to terminate his contract two days after the team's surprise 2-1 defeat by Indonesia in their opening game on Sunday.
Troussier's dismissal came after Peter Velappan, general secretary of the AFC, provoked an outcry by accusing Beijing fans of being rude at the weekend. He was forced to apologise on Monday following a backlash from Beijing citizens and the Chinese media.
Japan, meanwhile, looked a shadow of the team that Troussier led to the second round of the 2002 World Cup with captain Hidetoshi Nakata and midfielder Junichi Inamoto both out injured.
They were fortunate to escape with all three points from their Group D clash after Oman squandered three gilt-edged chances in the last 10 minutes. Imad Ali twice went close, while Yousuf Shaaban completely missed his kick when clean through on Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi and collapsed to the turf in despair.
But Iran were unable to break down the Thais until 26 minutes into the second half. Even then it took a moment of magic from playmaker Ali Karimi, who skipped past three defenders to set up Reza Enayati for a simple tap-in. Javad Nekounam added a second in the 80th minute and Daei converted from the spot three minutes from time to send Iran top of Group D on goal difference. -Reuters
