DOHA: Brazilian-born striker Elkeson scored twice on his debut for China in a 5-0 win over the Maldives in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, just a month after becoming a Chinese citizen.

The 30-year-old Elkeson, who has been one of the stars of the Chinese Super League since 2013, is the first player of non-Chinese heritage to be called up to the national team.

Now known as Ai Kesen, the Guangzhou Evergrande striker scored two late goals in Male after the visitors were already 3-0 up as coach Marcello Lippi’s team got off to a winning start in Group ‘A’ and are now level on three points with the Philippines, who bounced back from their opening-round loss against Syria to thrash Guam 4-1.

China dominated the game and were 2-0 up at half-time at the Rasmee Dhandu Stadium with Wu Xi and Wu Lei finding the net in the 34th and 45th minute, respectively.

They then won three straight penalties, with Yang Xu first scoring from the spot in the 65th minute before Elkeson made his mark with seven minutes remaining and claimed his double in stoppage time to complete the rout.

China are trying to qualify for a first World Cup since its sole appearance in 2002.

In Hong Kong, however, the city’s months of protesting was taken into the sporting realm as China’s national anthem was booed loudly by thousands of fans, who also turned their backs when the anthem was played before a qualifier against Iran.

The crowd broke out into “Glory to Hong Kong,” a song reflecting their campaign for more democratic freedoms in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.

Seeking a sixth World Cup appearance and third in a row, Iran beat Hong Kong 2-0 in their Group ‘C’ opener.

Sardar Azmoun gave Iran the lead midway through the first half with a low volley into the bottom corner before Karim Ansarifard secured the win with a side-footed finish nine minutes after the break.

“We gained three points from this match, so I think it was a positive result,” said coach Marc Wilmots, who was taking charge of his first competitive game for Iran.

“We encountered a wall of defence from the Hong Kong team but we were able to score two goals and had opportunities to score more.

“This is the beginning of our preparations and we will get better day-by-day.”

Iran are a point behind group leaders Bahrain, who won away to Cambodia 1-0, but have played one game more.

Three of Asia’s leading teams also picked up victories in their opening games in the second round of qualification, with Japan, South Korea and Australia all comfortably winning away games.

Japan beat Myanmar 2-0 in Yangon in Group ‘F’. A spectacular strike from outside the area by Shoya Nakajima after 16 minutes put Japan in control amd Takumi Minamino ensured Japan led 2-0 by halftime.

Japan reached the second round of the 2018 World Cup and are bidding for a seventh successive finals appearance.

Tajikistan top the group after they picked up a second straight win with a 1-0 victory in Mongolia.

A goal in each half gave South Korea a 2-0 win in Turkmenistan in Group ‘H’, which North Korea lead on six points after Jang Kuk Chol scored the only goal as they defeated Sri Lanka away. The South Koreans are aiming to qualify for a 10th consecutive World Cup.

Australia kicked off their campaign with a 3-0 victory in Kuwait in Group ‘B’ after two first-half goals from Mathew Leckie and a strike from Aaron Mooy while Anjan Bista scored twice as Nepal handed Taiwan a 2-0 defeat.

In Group ‘G’, the United Arab Emirates fought back from going a goal down after 33 seconds to defeat Malaysia 2-1 in Kuala Lumpur thanks to a brace from Ali Mabkhout.

Bert van Marwijk’s side join the Malaysians on three points and trail group leaders Thailand by a point after Akira Nishino’s team beat Indonesia 3-0 in Jakarta.

In Riffa, Bahrain, war-torn Yemen came agonisingly close to upsetting their much powerful neighbour Saudi Arabia, eventually settling for a credible 2-2 draw.

Mohsen Mohamed put Yemen ahead in the eighth minute, but Saudi Arabia hit back through Hattan Bahebri in the 23rd to restore parity.

An Omar al-Dahi strike in the 37th minute gave Yemen the lead once again but but Salem Al Dawsari earned Herve Renard’s side a draw in their Group ‘D’ opener. Singapore, meanwhile, pulled off a 2-1 victory over Palestine.

In Group ‘E’, Asian champions and 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar were held to a stunning goalless draw by India in Doha and Afghanistan notched up a 1-0 victory over Bangladesh.

Qatar thrashed Afghanistan in their opening qualifier 6-0 but were thwarted by a spirited Indian defence led by goalkeeper Gurpreet Sandhu who brought off a string of saves at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.

The visitors, who led Oman in their first match last week only to concede two late goals to go down 2-1, were without their talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri.

The eight group winners and the four best runners-up advance to the third round of qualification.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2019