July 11, 2007	Wednesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 25, 1428

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10: China stormed to an emphatic 5-1 victory over Asian Cup soccer co-hosts Malaysia on Tuesday, putting on the most impressive display of the tournament so far as they cruised to victory in their Group C opener.

The 2004 runners-up became the first of the favoured teams to score a victory in the tournament after Australia and defending champions Japan were held to respective 1-1 draws by Oman and Qatar in their opening group matches.

Despite enjoying home advantage, Malaysia failed to emulate the performances of fellow southeast Asian co-hosts Vietnam and Indonesia, both of whom scored surprise victories in their first games.

Thailand are the other nation hosting the 16-team tournament that culminates with the final in Jakarta on July 29.

China’s goal rush began after just 15 minutes when striker Han Peng headed in Wang Dong’s high cross from the right after Malaysia’s defence was split open by some dynamic approach play.

Midfielder Shao Jiayi doubled the lead after 36 minutes with another free header.

Any hopes of a Malaysian comeback were dashed six minutes after the break when Wang made it 3-0 with a snap-shot from outside the box that deflected in off defender Fauzie Nan.

Han made it 4-0 with his second goal of the match four minutes later, when he turned in Mao Jianqing’s cross from the left.

Malaysia scored a consolation goal in the 73rd minute when substitute Indra Putra beat Li Leilei with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area, but Wang restored Chinas four-goal advantage with a looping header in the final minute.

China play their next match on Sunday against Iran, who open their Group C campaign against Uzbekistan on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Indonesia forward Bambang Pamungkas’s second-half strike gave the Asian Cup co-hosts a 2-1 victory over Bahrain in a lively Group D opener in Jakarta.

In sweltering heat in the Gelora Bung Karno stadium, both sides had chances as the play swung swiftly from end to end.

But it was Pamungkas, who had troubled the visitors with his trickery around the box, sealed Indonesia’s win 18 minutes into the second half when he blasted home a rebound after the Bahrain keeper could only parry a ferocious Firman Utina shot onto the post.

The home team had struck first in the 14th minute after midfielder Utina threaded a defence-splitting pass through to Budi Sudarsono, who chested the ball beyond the goal-keeper and slotted home from inside the penalty area.

The visitors then drew level in the 27th minute after a cross from the right ricocheted off several players before Sayed Mahmood Jalal tapped in from close range.

Late into the second half Bahrain hit the crossbar and their coach Milan Macala said his team had not won because they had missed a number of decent opportunities.

The win marks revenge for Indonesia, who were beaten 3-1 by Bahrain in the 2004 Asian Cup in China.

Kolev played down injury concerns over captain Ponaryo Astaman, who limped off in the second half, saying the problem was an old one and hopefully after treatment he would be fit.

South Korea and Saudi Arabia are the other teams in the group. Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia are also co-hosting the tournament with the final taking place in Jakarta on July 29. —Reuters