DOHA – United Arab Emirates (UAE), the 1996 runner-up in the competition, kicked off their 2023 Asian Cup campaign in style by scoring a convincing 3-1 victory over Hong Kong in a Group C match near here last night.
The match played at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan city, about 11km from here, took the lead in the 34th minute through Sultan Adili Alamiri after UAE were awarded a penalty.
Hong Kong, however, came back strongly from the break to equalise with a brilliant strike by Philip Chan Siu Kwan in the 49th minute.
Stunned by the equaliser, UAE responded by doubling their attack, and the pressure quickly paid off when Zayed Sultan beat Hong Kong goalkeeper Yapp Hung Fai in the 52nd minute and restored the lead.
UAE, which managed to make it to the semi-finals in the previous edition, added the third well into injury time from yet another penalty taken by Yahya Al Ghassani.
Earlier, Hong Kong striker Michael Udebuluzor managed to score, but the goal was disallowed after a review by the VAR.
In their next match, UAE will face Palestine on January 18, while Hong Kong take on Iran a day later.
Meanwhile, former Liverpool striker Takumi Minamino played a crucial role in Japan’s come-from-behind 4-2 victory over Vietnam in their 2023 Asian Cup Group D match yesterday.
The 28-year-old who is currently playing for AS Monaco in the French League, scored twice to ensure victory for the team from the country of the rising sun.
In the match, Japan, under coach Hajime Moriyasu, took only 11 minutes to take the lead when Minamino struck a shot that beat Vietnam goalkeeper Nguyen Filip.
However, five minutes later, Vietnam, under Philippe Troussier who had previously coached Japan, the best team in Southeast Asia and ranked 17th in Asia, equalised through a splendid header by Nguyen Dinh Bac after a perfect cross from skipper Do Hung Dung.
That goal seemed to have served as motivation for the young Vietnamese squad as Pham Tuan Hai put Vietnam in the lead by lashing on to a poor clearance by Zion Suzuki in the 33rd minute.
But the lead did not remain for long as Japan managed to equalise on the stroke of half-time through Minamino, who received a perfect pass from skipper Wataru Endo, who is currently with Liverpool in the English Premier League.
The break did not seem to come early for Vietnam, as South Korean referee Kim Jong-hyeok had added six minutes of injury time, and Keito Nakamura took the opportunity to give Japan a 3-2 lead.
The fourth and final goal came through substitute Ayase Ueda, ensuring all three points for Japan.
Japan’s next opponent will be 2007 champion Iraq, while Vietnam face Indonesia on January 19. – January 15, 2024