北京奧運

Z_Ho

Road to 2008 Olympic Games begin for CONCACAF this month

3.8.07 - CONCACAF’s road to 2008 Olympic Games begins next month as the Preliminary Qualification to the Men’s Under-23 Tournament commence in the Caribbean.

Twenty-two Caribbean nations have been placed in six groups for the first round qualification. Aruba, Bahamas, Cuba, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & The Grenadines and Trinidad & Tobago will each host a Caribbean First Round Group that will run from 31 August – 13 September 2007.

The six group winners will advance to the second round that consist of two three-team groups scheduled for October 2007. The top finishers in each triangular group will progress to the 2008 CONCACAF U-23 Final Round Tournament.

Elsewhere, the Men’s U-23 Central American Preliminary Qualification will have two groups of three with Panama hosting El Salvador and Honduras from 7-11 November, while Guatemala stages Costa Rica and Nicaragua from 14-18 November.

The winners of each triangular will advance to the CONCACAF Men’s U-23 Tournament along with two Caribbean teams, Canada, Mexico and USA with venue and dates to be announced. The two second-place finishers from each Central American Triangular will meet in a home-and-away playoff series with the winner also progressing to the CONCACAF Final Round, where two teams will qualify to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

http://www.concacaf.com/view_article.asp?id=3893

Group A

Surinam
T & T
Neterland Antilles
Guyana

Group B

Aruba
Barbados
Antigua & Barbuda
Jamaica

Group C

Cuba
Bermuda
Puerto Rico
Cayman Isl

Group D

St Kitts & Nevis
Dominican Rep
Haiti

Group E

St Vincent
St Lucia
Dominica
Grenada

Group F

Bahamas
US Virgin Isl
British Virgin Isl

Z_Ho

Syria aim to impress in opener
August 22 2007




ALEPPO: Syria’s U-23 side will be looking to capitalise on the advantage of playing their opening match of the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at home when they take on Bahrain in a Group B encounter at the Al Hamdania Stadium in Aleppo on Wednesday.




The Syrians lost only one home match, a 2-0 setback against Japan, as they finished runners-up in a group that also included Malaysia and Hong Kong during the second round of the qualifiers.




With matches to come against group favourites Korea Republic and Uzbekistan, recently-installed coach Anwar Jassam knows that it will be important for his side to start well against the Bahrainis.




"The first match is very important and will be very hard," said the Iraqi.




"The game against Bahrain will be the key for our success in the qualifiers and winning the game will give the players a lot of confidence to compete."




Striker Majed Al Haj, Syria’s top scorer in the second round with three goals, echoed the comments of his new coach.




"The game against Bahrain is very important for us and it is decisive," said the Al Jaish striker.




"It will be decisive because it will determine how we will go into the next matches in the qualifiers.




"Getting the three points is what we are looking for even if it was with one goal. It doesn't matter who will score on Wednesday but naturally as a striker I hope to score and even if I can’t, the win is the most important thing for me."




The Bahrainis prepared for the encounter with a training camp in the United Arab Emirates where they played several friendly matches including a 1-0 victory against the Iraq Olympic team in Al Ain.




They also met Qatar in a friendly in Doha, losing 4-1.




Milan Macala’s side will go into the match without the absent duo of Abdullah Omar and Ismaeel Abdullatif, both of whom featured in Bahrain's AFC Asian Cup campaign last month.




Midfielder Omar is still recovering from an injury that he picked up in the Asian Cup opener against Indonesia while Abdullatif, who scored the winning goal in the 2-1 victory against Korea Republic in Jakarta, will miss the game through suspension.




Macala feels that his side’s lack of international experience makes them the underdogs for Wednesday’s game.




"The match against Syria will be very hard because it is our first game of the round and both sides will be looking for an opening victory," said the Czech following the team’s arrival in Damascus.




"The majority of our players lack international experience but their level of play and great enthusiasm will help us to have a good match on Wednesday.




"Syria are a big team especially as they have qualified for this final round after a great performance in the last round. We should not underestimate them and I have watched their matches on video and it will help me to decide on the tactics for the game.




"Playing away in the first match is very hard but we have to adapt to the schedule," added Macala.




"If we wanted to compete and finish at the top of the group we must play with our best."



敘利亞誓挫巴林  
2007年8月22日






（敘利亞）敘利亞放眼借助主場優勢，在2008年北京奧運亞洲區12強預選賽B組首輪比賽，拿下西亞宿敵巴林。



敘利亞主場紀錄出色，在次圈預選賽僅輸過給日本。



由於組內有韓國和烏茲別克兩大勁敵，敘利亞新帥加桑姆明白首役非全取3分不可。



巴林之前在阿聯酋拉練，打了數場比賽，包括以1比0挫伊拉克國奧隊、1比4負卡塔爾。



巴林名帥馬加拉此役少了兩名主力、也是國家隊成員的奧馬和阿都拉蒂夫。兩人分別因受傷和禁賽缺陣。



馬加拉賽前為隊員減壓，自認本隊比敘利亞缺少國際賽經驗，紙上談兵不受看好。

Sorimachi’s Japan aim for solid start to campaign
August 22 2007




TOKYO: An injury to skipper Masahiko Inoha has hit the Japan U-23 side's preparations for their Group C opener against Vietnam in the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.




The Japanese, who are seeking their fourth consecutive berth in the Men's Olympic Football Tournament, were the only team to win all six of their matches in the second round but coach Yasuharu Sorimachi will have to make do without the FC Tokyo player for Wednesday's clash at the National Stadium in Tokyo.




Oita Trinita goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa is already out for two months after picking up a knee injury earlier this month and more bad news followed on Monday when Inoha damaged his left ankle while training with the U-23 side.




Inoha, who was a member of Japan's AFC Asian Cup squad, is likely to be sidelined on Wednesday and is also doubtful for Japan's next qualifier in Saudi Arabia on September 8.



Sorimachi reacted to the blow by calling up Kashiwa Reysol defender Yuzo Kobayashi, who has played in 15 of the J.League club's 21 matches this season, in place of his captain later that day.




While the match on Wednesday marks the first time that Vietnam have played in the final round of Asia's Olympic qualifiers Kobayashi, who is also an assistant to Japan national coach Ivica Osim, is not about to take their opponents for granted.




But with even sterner challenges to come in Group C against the likes of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Sorimachi knows that his side must start well against the South East Asians.




"The 90 minutes [against Vietnam] will be significant for us in the final round qualifiers," said the Japan U-23 boss.




"It's important to take the initiative among the four teams [in our group], and we'd like to put pressure on to Saudi Arabia and Qatar by collecting three points from our first game.




"Playing our first game at home will be a big plus for us too."




Sorimachi believes that the experience of watching Japan play the Vietnam senior side at the recent Asian Cup could work to his team's benefit.




"They [Vietnam Olympic side] are not exactly the same as the one from the Asian Cup, but I was able to get information to figure out their playing style," he added.




In preparation for the final round, Japan took part in a four-nation invitation tournament in China earlier this month, where they beat DPR Korea 2-1, drew 0-0 with China and lost 1-0 to Botswana.




Following that tournament, Sorimachi reshuffled his squad, bringing in four players from Japan’s U-20 World Cup squad that reached the knock-out stage in Canada last month as full-backs Michihiro Yasuda from Gamba Osaka and Atsuto Uchida of Kashima Antlers, Sanfrecce Hiroshima midfielder Yosuke Kashiwagi and goalkeeper Akihiro Hayashi of Ryutsu Keizai University all got the nod.




"We couldn't do well in the four-nation tournament but that in a way has helped us brace ourselves for the qualifiers," he said.




"I hope we can bring our experience from our participation there into our first match."




Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl, whose team arrived in Tokyo on Monday, has selected 11 players from his Asian Cup squad for the Olympic qualifier, with the likes of forwards Le Cong Vinh and Phan Thanh Binh as well as midfielder Nguyen Vu Phong included.




According to Riedl, Japan are the group favourites and the Austrian is expecting a tough test for his side on Wednesday night.




“I think they [Japan] are a better team than Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Vietnam,” said the Austrian.




“We are coming to Tokyo trying to win the match. The chances to win the match in Japan against Japan will be little for us. But we have to try.




“When you play away, you play more cautiously but you have to score goals even when you are playing away from home.




“When it’s difficult, then you make it draw. But I think I know how they would play and how we can wait them on the field to do something against the attacking side.”


日本殘陣迎戰越南  
2007年8月22日





（東京）隊長伊野波雅彦因傷缺勤，無法在2008年北京奧運亞洲區12強預選賽C組首場比賽披甲對陣越南。



兩隊曾在2007年亞足聯亞洲盃賽場上相遇，日本在先落後一城下，以4比1完勝。



放眼連續4屆打進奧運的日本，也是次圈預選賽唯一一支6戰全勝的隊伍。



除了伊野波雅彥，主帥反町康治也少了必須養傷兩個月之久的頭號門將、效力大分三神的西川周作。



反町康治徵召柏太陽神後衛小林祐三填補伊野波雅彥的空缺，小林祐三本賽季正式坐上柏太陽神主力位置，表現不俗。



由於組內包括西亞雙雄沙特阿拉伯和卡塔爾，反町康治對首個3分志在必得。



日本為備戰奧運預選賽，去了中國打了一個邀請賽，取1勝1平1負戰績，即以2比1挫朝鮮，0比0逼平中國，以及0比1負博茨瓦納共和國。



回國後，反町康治調整陣容，包括召入4名參加20歲以下世青賽的國青隊成員--後衛安田理大（大阪鋼巴）、內田篤人（鹿島鹿角）、中場柏木陽介（廣島三箭）和門將林彰洋（流通經濟大學）。



越南方面，主教練里德在帶領國家隊打入2007年亞足聯亞洲盃四分之一決賽後信心爆棚，表示不會放棄任何機會。



奧地利人里德的球隊有11名亞足聯亞洲盃成員，其中包括主心骨李忠文和阮文邦，可見越南為爭取再創佳績，做了足夠的準備。


New Korea Republic coach vows to strengthen midfield
August 22 2007




SEOUL: Korea Republic's U-23 side resume their quest for a spot in next year's Olympics on Wednesday night when they take on their counterparts from Uzbekistan for the third time in six months in their opening match of the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.




The East Asian side, who are attempting to qualify for the Olympics for a sixth consecutive time, enter the Group B match with recent history on their side having already defeated their Central Asian opponents twice to comfortably top their second round group.




Uzbekistan also advanced as runners-up, twice defeating United Arab Emirates and Yemen, but with only one Olympic berth available from a final round group that also includes Bahrain and Syria, the stakes are much higher this time around for the clash at Seoul World Cup Stadium.




Since Korea's 1-0 win in Tashkent in April, there has been a significant change at the top for the Taeguk Warriors with Pim Verbeek relinquishing the reins of the Olympic team after resigning as coach of the senior national side at the end of the AFC Asian Cup in July.




Following the Dutchman's departure, former national team assistant coach Park Sung-hwa has stepped into the breach and is promising a change in approach.




"The former coach relied on taking advantage of playing on the flanks, which lacks diversity. So I will stick to a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1 formation to solidify the midfield for central attacks," Park told reporters.




His main concern is the absence of injured FC Seoul striker Park Chu-young, who is likely to be replaced by Kim Sang-rok of Suwon Samsung Bluewings.




However, Kim has the backing of his coach, who added, "I am not worried about Sang-rok. He is a player with lots of experience internationally and he has the ability to do a good job for the Olympic team."




With the teams having already faced each other twice this year, there will be a great deal of familiarity between both sets of players although it will be interesting to see how the Koreans adapt to their new formation under coach Park.




"Since taking over as coach, Park has changed the system from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2. I was the attacking midfielder before but in training I have been adapting to a new role as a centre-forward," said Han Dong-won, who scored both goals in Korea's 2-0 win in Ansan in March.




"Of course we can win. I scored twice against Uzbekistan earlier this year and got confidence from that. We need to get a good result to give us a good start."




Park could include five players who travelled to South East Asia with the senior Korea Republic side at the Asian Cup in July, including skipper Kim Jin-kyu and his central defensive partner Kang Min-soo, midfielder Oh Jang-eun, forward Lee Keun-ho and goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong.




The Uzbeks, who have never previously qualified for the Olympics, are also likely to include a handful of players from Rauf Inileyev's Asian Cup squad such as defenders Aziz Ibragimov and Anzur Ismailov, midfielders Aziz Haydarov and Vitaliy Denisov, plus forward Marat Bikmaev.




All five featured in the Asian Cup with Ibragimov, Denisov and U-23 skipper Haydarov enjoying significant playing time in the team that reached the quarter-finals, where they were unlucky to lose 2-1 to eventual finalists Saudi Arabia.




Wednesday's match in Seoul is an opportunity for those players to make amends for that disappointment and put the central Asian state on course for a spot in Beijing next year.




韓國烏茲別克狹路相逢  
2007年8月22日






（首爾）韓國和烏茲別克在2008年北京奧運亞洲區12強預選賽B組首輪賽事，再次狹路相逢。



這是兩隊在6個月以來的第3次碰面。烏茲別克在次圈小組賽主客兩負「太極虎」，但最終仍尾隨後者晉級。



放眼連續6屆打進奧運舞台的韓國，在此組除了要對上烏茲別克，也遇上巴林和敘利亞攔路。



與上兩次和烏茲別克碰頭相比，韓國已經有了改變，在原帥維貝克掛冠求去後，土產教練朴成華執掌國奧隊兵符。



朴成華為國奧隊打造了新陣型，即把荷蘭人維貝克慣用的4-4-2改成4-2-3-1陣型，以加強中場的控制力和中路進攻能力。



朴成華說：「維貝克偏愛邊路進攻，但此套路對韓國球員不大管用，我會把戰術集中的中路，強打對手的中路防線。」



朴成華的愛將朴周永有傷在身，如他未克復元，位置將由水原三星新貴金相綠頂上。



朴成華料會重用5名出征亞足聯亞洲盃的國家隊成員，即隊長金珍圭、後衛姜鈱秀、中場禹成勇、前鋒李根浩和門將鄭成龍。



從未晉級奧運的烏茲別克，也會派上仍然適齡的國家隊主力--後衛伊布拉吉莫夫、伊斯邁羅夫、中場海達羅夫、德尼索夫和前鋒比克馬耶夫。

Iraq aim to emulate AFC Asian Cup™ success
August 22 2007




DOHA: Following the success of their national team at last month’s AFC Asian Cup, the attention of Iraqi football fans now turns to their U-23 team as they look to emulate the exploits of their predecessors, who reached the semi-finals of the last Olympics in Athens.




Iraq’s recent successes have added to the pressure on their Olympic side who meet Australia at Al Rayyan Stadium in Doha on Wednesday in their opening Group A match in the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.




The prospects of Yihya Alwan's side have been boosted by the presence of seven players who were in their Asian Cup squad including defender Ali Hussein Rehema, who started all six games for Iraq in the tournament, and midfielder Karrar Jassim, who impressed in the five matches that he played in South East Asia.




The other inclusions from Jorvan Vieira’s victorious team are defender Khaldoun Ibrahim, who featured in two matches at the Asian Cup, midfielders Ali Abbas and Ahmed Abid Ali, defender Nabeel Abbas and goalkeeper Mohammed Kassid.




However, coach Alwan said is not taking the presence of the seven for granted and has been closely studying the Australian Olyroos ahead of their Doha encounter.




"We will try to improve the mental situation of the players and we will study the tactics of the Australians," he said.




"We will go into the game with an attacking mindset and I'm confident that my boys will win because they can execute the plan that we have, play as a team and use their individual talents in other parts of the game.




"We have no injuries and all the players are looking forward to claiming an opening victory. I have watched the previous games of the Australian side and we will try our best to reflect the image of Iraqi football after winning the Asian Cup last month."




Meanwhile, Australia will be looking for a measure of revenge after watching their senior side beaten 3-1 by the Iraqis in Bangkok during the Asian Cup.




Although the Australian U-23s are also coached by Graham Arnold, who was in charge of the Socceroos at the Asian Cup, only one player, skipper Mark Milligan, has figured for both teams this year.




However, Milligan misses the clash against the Iraqis through suspension after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament against Jordan in the Olyroos’ final second round match while striker Mark Bridge sits out his second match after being sent off in the 3-1 win against Iran.




Arnold's side will also miss the services of Adelaide United midfielder Kristian Sarkies, who has withdrawn from the squad due to a thigh injury and has been replaced by David Micevski of Perth Glory.




However, the Australians side has brought in reinforcements in the shape of Germany-based defender Matthew Spiranovic and his FC Nuremberg team-mate Dario Vidosic, as well as newly-signed Fulham defender Adrian Leijer.




Arnold arrived with the Olyroos in Doha on Saturday and is looking forward to facing the Iraqis once again.




"Iraq will be a massive test for us based on what I have seen of their previous matches," he said to the Football Federation Australia website.




"They play a very similar style to the Iraq team that won the Asian Cup and have several players from that team so it will be quite a challenge.




"It was a difficult squad to put together in regards availability of players and the suspension of Mark Bridge and Mark Milligan," Arnold added.


伊拉克澳大利亞冤家路窄  
2007年8月22日






（多哈）2008年北京奧運亞洲區預選賽決賽階段今日開踢，伊拉克對澳大利亞一役成焦點。



隨著在上個月亞足聯亞洲盃首次奪魁，伊拉克已經成為眾矢之的。伊拉克國奧隊也放眼取得北京奧運出線權，以一圖追平、甚至超越在2004年雅典奧運會打進半決賽的驕人戰績。



12支從小組出線的隊伍分成3組，每組4隊，只有小組首名獲得明年北京奧運會門票。



由於球星雲集的澳大利亞曾在亞足聯亞洲盃以1比3不敵伊拉克，因此澳大利亞23歲以下國奧隊小將，都非常渴望為老大哥一雪前恥。



這場A組關鍵戰役，在多哈阿爾賴揚體育場舉行。



伊拉克隊中包括7名亞足聯亞洲盃冠軍成員，即後衛雷赫馬、卡爾頓伊布拉欣、納比爾、中場加辛、阿巴斯、阿比德阿里和門將卡西德。



澳大利亞主教練阿諾德為此不敢掉以輕心，召入了3名海外球員補充實力，他們是紐倫堡雙星斯皮拉諾維奇和維多西奇，以及新加盟英超俱樂部富勒姆的後衛雷澤爾。



阿諾德說：「對伊拉克國奧隊的比賽對我們來說是個嚴峻的考驗，他們的打法與國家隊打法非常相似。」



困擾阿諾德的另一點是兩名主力球員、隊長米利甘和和進攻核心布里奇雙雙禁賽免戰，而薩吉斯也因傷缺勤。

Clash of West Asian titans awaits fans
August 22 2007




DOHA: Asian Games gold medallists Qatar entertain traditional rivals Saudi Arabia at Al Sadd Stadium on Wednesday in their opening Group C match in the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.




Having topped their group in the previous round with five wins in six matches, the Saudi Arabia U-23s start as favourites but Qatar’s strong form at home promises a tasty encounter in Doha between the two Gulf sides.




With Japan in the same group and only the first placed team earning a spot at next year’s Olympics, both sides will be keen to accumulate points before taking on the East Asian giants.




Having edged out Kuwait on goal difference in the second round to finish runners-up to Bahrain in Group A, the Qataris know that they will need a good start if they hope to secure a place in the Olympics for the first time since 1992.




“Saudi Arabia have always been tough opposition,” admitted Qatar coach Hassan Harmatullah.




However, he remains confident about the ability of his side. “I’m not thinking about how good they are, rather my team remains my focus,” he added.




According to Harmatullah, the team have benefited from a training camp in Izmir, Turkey and a series of friendly games which have helped to identify their strengths and shortcomings.




“We draw on qualities like our spirit, teamwork and good organisation,” said the Qatar boss, whose side enjoyed a convincing 4-1 win over Bahrain but lost 2-1 to Iraq.




“We have to play to our strengths. If we keep calm and keep working hard we will get our chances to win.”




Harmatullah has a fully fit squad to choose from with a number of players also boasting experience of playing for the senior national side.




The Qataris will be counting on the experience of midfielders Ali Nasser and Waleed Jassim, who have been in fine form, while last year’s AFC Player of the Year, Khalfan Ibarahim, is likely to start in attack alongside Mohammad Salim Al Mall, who scored a brace in the win against Bahrain.




Saudi Arabia coach Bandar Al Jaitheen is pleased with his team’s performances so far, particularly after seeing them top a tough group in the second round that included Australia, Iran and Jordan.




However, Al Jaitheen is wary about complacency and regards the Qataris with plenty of respect.




“Obviously we will have to be at our best to take the points back from Qatar but that's exactly what we're aiming to do,” the Saudi coach said.

卡塔爾迎擊沙特  
2007年8月22日






（多哈）亞運會金牌得主卡塔爾週三在2008年北京奧運亞洲區12強預選賽C組序幕戰，迎戰沙特阿拉伯。



沙特在6場小組賽取5場勝利，是紙面上的熱門，但擁有主場優勢的卡塔爾也不容小覷。



卡塔爾在自1992年以來，就緣慳奧運會至今，逼切希望重溫舊夢。



卡塔爾主帥哈馬圖拉帶隊在土耳其拉練和打了數場熱身賽，隊內沒有任何傷兵。



哈馬圖拉將倚靠國家隊隊員--中場納塞爾和加辛，以及亞洲足球先生卡爾範伊布拉欣和阿爾馬爾破門取分。



沙特主教練阿爾加伊丁對本隊迄今的表現感到滿意，尤其是在次圈預選賽壓倒澳大利亞、伊朗和約旦在小組居首的成績。



不過，阿爾加伊丁認為，西亞隊對彼此的實力暸如指掌，加上卡塔爾擁有地利，此役絕非易打之戰。


Lebanon hope for a winning start
August 23 2007




PYONGYANG: Despite enduring a long journey to Pyongyang, Lebanon coach Emile Rustom does not want travel difficulties to be used an excuse by his team against DPR Korea in their opening game of the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on Thursday.


The Lebanese U-23 side arrived in the North Korean capital on Tuesday after a lengthy trip that saw them leave Beirut for Dubai on Sunday evening, stopping over in Beijing before the team finally arrived in Pyongyang.


As a result of the team’s late arrival, the Group A match at Kim Il Sung Stadium has been moved back by a day from Wednesday to Thursday.


"There is no doubt that the long travel distance will affect us. We need three days to get to Pyongyang and this is very hard for the visiting team,” admitted Rustom.


“However, we must adapt to these conditions and overcome such hardships.


"We did all we could to prepare our best for the qualifiers during our recent training camp in Egypt. We know our capabilities and all we can hope for now is to get a good result against DPR Korea."


Lebanon qualified for the final round after finishing as one of the top two in their second round group but with only the group winners in a tough final round group, which also includes Iraq and Australia, advancing to next year’s Olympics, Rustam is aware that his team have to start well on Thursday.


"All the games in the qualifiers are important and playing against DPR Korea away is no different,” he said.


“All the games are worth three points and the games against Iraq and Australia are no different.


"Looking back at the second round, we played our first game against Vietnam in Hanoi and lost. However, we got back on track and finished the group on top."


The Lebanese finished level on 12 points with Vietnam during the second round although they played only five games after their final group match against Oman was cancelled due to a cyclone.


After losing their opener in Vietnam 2-0, they won four of their five games although they only managed six goals with Tarek El Ali the leading scorer with two following his brace in a 2-1 win over Indonesia.


Lebanon’s warm-up results included a 2-0 loss to the Syrian U-23 side and a 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia’s Olympic side.


The DPR Korea’s U-23s have also been busy, playing a number of warm-up matches in preparation for the final round as they look to qualify for the Olympics for the first time since 1976.


Ri Jong-man’s talented and well organized size played four friendlies in Singapore in late June and early July, failing to manage a win but putting in a series of good performances including a 2-2 draw with Asian Cup-bound Oman and a 1-1 draw with eventual Asian Cup runners-up Saudi Arabia.


They went on to participate in a four-nation tournament in Beijing earlier this month losing 2-1 to Japan and 1-0 to Botswana before beating Olympic hosts China 1-0 in their final game.


Striker An Chol-hyok, who bagged four of his side’s seven goals during the second stage, will miss Thursday’s game after being shown his second yellow card of the competition during his side’s final second round game, a 1-0 loss to Iraq.


Skipper Cha Jong-hyok marshals a formidable defence that conceded only three goals during the second stage against the likes of Iraq, Thailand and India.


黎巴嫩客場硬碰朝鮮  
2007年8月23日







（平壤）儘管長途跋涉去到平壤，黎巴嫩主帥魯斯托姆仍然深信本隊可在對壘朝鮮的2008年北京奧運亞洲區12強預選賽A組序幕戰喧賓奪主。



黎巴嫩國奧隊週日從貝魯特飛往迪拜，再從迪拜轉機至北京，才從北京飛抵平壤，旅程漫長。



由於行程用了很長時間，此役從週三挪後至週四舉行。



此組的另兩隊是伊拉克和澳大利亞，只有小組頭名晉級北京奧運會。



黎巴嫩在次圈預選賽和越南同積12分攜手出線，但火力叫人不敢恭維，他們在6場比賽僅進了6球。



黎巴嫩在熱身賽以0比2和0比1不敵敘利亞和沙特阿拉伯。



朝鮮放眼自1976年第2度打進奧運會，他們在6至7月份期間赴新加坡拉練，取得不俗戰績，包括2平言和阿曼國家隊，以及以1比1言和沙特阿拉伯國家隊。



朝鮮本月初也去了北京參加一個四國賽，取1勝2負戰績，在以1比2和0比1不敵日本和博茨瓦納共和國後，朝鮮以1比0拿下中國。



朝鮮主帥李正萬此役少了在次圈預選賽打進4球、但在本輪禁賽的主力前鋒安澤學。不過，由車正赫領銜的後防令人放心，此條防線在次圈預選賽6場比賽，僅失3球。

[ 本帖最後由 Z_Ho 於 2007-8-23  09:40 PM 編輯 ]

Z_Ho

Korea Republic edge past Uzbekistan 2-1
August 22 2007




SEOUL: Korea Republic's U-23 side claimed their third win in a row against Uzbekistan this year after coming from behind to beat the Central Asians 2-1 on Wednesday in a bad-tempered affair that saw the visitors finish with only nine men.


An own goal from Korean skipper Kim Jin-kyu gave Uzbekistan the lead on the stroke of half-time in the opening Group B match in the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.


But with Vagiz Galiulin and Forhad Tadjiev both seeing red for reckless tackles in the second half, the hosts hit back through Lee Sang-ho and Lee Keun-ho to keep them on course for a sixth consecutive appearance in the Men's Olympic Football Tournament.


The two teams met twice during the second round with Korea Republic doing the double on the Uzbeks with a 2-0 win in Ansan in March and a 1-0 victory in Tashkent the following month.


But if the fans at Seoul World Cup Stadium expected a comfortable evening for their side under new coach Park Sung-hwa, they were to be sadly mistaken.


The hosts had the best of the opening exchanges without creating any clear openings and almost fell behind midway through the first half.


Vitaliy Denisov, who impressed for Uzbekistan's senior side at the recent AFC Asian Cup, sent in a teasing cross from the left that was met in the six-yard box by the head of Anvar Rajabov. It looked to be a certain goal until goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong got down well at his right-hand post to claw the ball away Korea's best chance of the first half came after 35 minutes.

Uzbekistan goalkeeper Aziz Ashurov missed a Kim Seung-yong cross from the right, allowing Han Dong-won to pick up the loose ball on the left edge of the six-yard box but his shot from a tight angle rolled past the opposite post.


Six minutes later, Ha Tae-goon beat Ashurov to a Lee Keun-ho cross but his header looped just over the crossbar.


Just before the break, another Denisov cross found an unmarked Rajabov inside the box but standing eight yards out, the Bukharo striker steered his header well wide of Jung's right post.


But seconds later, Uzbekistan took the lead in bizarre fashion after Kim Jin-kyu gave away a free-kick on the left flank. Vagiz Galiulin's cross was allowed to bounce across the face of goal by the Korean defence and in an attempt to clear the danger, Kim, standing two yards in front of the far post, succeeded only in slicing the ball into his own net.


Korea Republic rarely looked like getting back into the game early in the second half but they received a boost on the hour when Galiulin scythed down Baek Ji-hoon and was shown a straight red card by Australian referee Jon Williams.


The hosts stepped up a gear and two minutes later Lee Sang-ho headed straight into the arms of the Uzbek keeper from close range.


With 19 minutes remaining, the Koreans finally drew level when Kim Seung-yong whipped in a free-kick from the left to the near post where Lee Sang-ho headed the ball in from close range.


The home side then took the lead after 78 minutes thanks to an opportunistic strike from Lee Keun-ho. Oh Jang-eun's header bounced inside the box and from close range, the Daegu striker hooked the ball into the top corner much to the relief of the home fans.


Uzbekistan's night would get worse when they were reduced to nine men in the dying minutes after Farhod Tadjiev was shown his second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Choi Chul-soon.

韓國力克9人烏茲別克  
2007年8月22日






（首爾）韓國在2008年北京奧運亞洲區12強預選賽B組首輪賽事，以2比1反勝打剩9人的烏茲別克。



兩隊曾在次圈預選賽碰頭，韓國主客全捷，比分分別是2比0和1比0。



韓國隊長金珍圭在上半場結束前，在門前防守失誤，自擺烏龍，讓烏茲別克以1比0領先。



韓國新帥朴成華在下半場第6分鐘，派遣李尚浩替換韓東元上場，給一直沉悶的比賽注入了活力。



烏茲別克斯後衛加里尤林在第67分鐘領下紅牌罰下後，韓國憑藉人數上的優勢控制大局。第71分鐘，韓國終於扳平比分，首次參加國奧隊比賽的李尚浩接獲金升勇左側開出的任意球，頭球破門，為反敗為勝奠定了基礎。



韓國進球後氣勢如虹。第78分鐘，李根浩左腳轉身射門，攻入反敗為勝的進球。



烏茲別克後衛塔德吉耶夫在補時階段「兩黃變紅」罰下，使烏茲別克賠了夫人又折兵。

Aoyama strikes as Japan overcome Vietnam
August 22 2007




TOKYO: Naoaki Aoyama scored the only goal for Japan as they maintained their perfect record in the Asian Olympic qualifiers with a 1-0 win on Wednesday against Vietnam in their opening Group C game in the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The Japanese U-23s completely dominated proceedings at the National Stadiumin Tokyo but Aoyama's header in stoppage time at the end of the first half was all that they could manage against the South East Asian side.

Striker Sota Hirayama missed a host of chances for the home side and Yasuharu Sorimachi's side very nearly paid for their wastefulness near the end of the game when Nguyen Vu Phong went close with one of Vietnam's few opportunities of the night.

Japan were keen to continue the form that brought them six wins in as many games during the second round and they were on top against Alfred Riedl's from the opening whistle.

However, with the Vietnamese defending in numbers, leaving striker Le Cong Vinh to plow a lone furrow up front, the home side found it difficult to create clear-cut scoring chances in a scrappy first half.

Lanky striker Sota Hirayama nearly made the breakthrough in the 27th minute when he muscled a defender off the ball on the edge of the Vietnam box and slid the ball past goalkeeper Tran Duc Cuong, only to see defender Doan Viet Cuong clear the ball off the line.

The Vietnamese were content to sit back and invite the Japanese pressure but their fine defensive work was undermined in the first minute of stoppage time when Yosuke Kashiwagi swung in a corner from the right that was met by Aoyama at the near post with a thumping header that flew past Duc Cuong.

Lifted by the goal, the Japanese intensified their pressure at the start ofthe second half and nearly increased their advantage in the 49th minute when Duc Cuong had to tip the ball over the crossbar after one of his own defenders deflected Koki Mizuno's cross from the right flank on target.

On 65 minutes, Mizuno played the ball through on the right flank to an overlapping Hajime Hosogai who crossed to Hirayama, only for the centre forward to glance his header wide of the far post. Tadanari Lee sent a diving header wide shortly afterwards and in the 70th minute, Hirayama was sent clear on the left of the Vietnam box but shot straight at the legs of Duc Cuong.

Hirayama was presented with another great opening in the 80th minute when he met a low cross by Keisuke Honda with a first-time shot that was blocked by Nguyen Thanh Long Giang.

The Vietnamese hardly troubled the Japan goal but very nearly punished Japan's profligacy in the 88th minute when Vu Phong surprised everyone byfiring a free kick from 30 metres directly on goal, forcing goalkeeper Kaito Yamamoto to scramble the ball clear.
日本苦勝越南
2007年8月22日







（東京）日本週三在2008年北京奧運亞洲區12強預選賽C組序幕戰，主場以1比0苦勝越南，為進軍北京開了個好頭。



面對一味死守的越南，日本上半場儘管在中路頻頻發動進攻，仍告無功而返。



無論如何，就在上半場結束前，柏木陽介開出角球後，後路插上的後衛青山直晃頭球打破僵局。此球也成了本場比賽唯一進球。



下半場第21分鐘，細貝萌在右邊突破後傳球給平山相太，後者一腳踢飛，日本失去擴大比分的機會。



越南差點在完場前兩分鐘扳平，但阮文邦的30碼任意球，給日本門將山本海人飛身撲出。

Okwunwanne doubles up in Bahrain win  
August 23 2007





ALEPPO: Jaycee Okwunwanne scored a brace as Bahrain came from a goal down to beat Syria 2-1 at Al Hamdania Stadium on Wednesday in their opening match in Group B of the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.


The hosts opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a spectacular effort by Abdulrazzaq Al Housain but Okwunwanne levelled the score at the end of the first half with a spot kick and netted the winner just seconds before the final whistle to give his side a precious three points.


The win puts Bahrain in joint first place in the group with Korea Republic, who beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in Seoul earlier in the evening.


The visiting Bahrainis started strongly in front of a small but noisy crowd in Aleppo and could have opened the scoring after only five minutes as Nigeria-born striker Okwunwanne fired in a powerful drive from the left edge of the area that Syrian goalkeeper Ali Al Holami managed to turn out for a corner.


The Bahrainis continued to threaten and on 18 minutes, Okwunwanne went close again as his shot from just inside the area went over the crossbar.


Syria suffered a big blow on the half-hour mark when striker Majed Al Haj, their top scorer in the second round, was injured and had to be replaced by Qusai Habib.


However, the Syrians began to grow in confidence and very nearly broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when Abdulrazzaq Al Housain crossed to Mohanad Al Ebrahim, whose header slammed against the right post.


Al Housain then sent the Syrian fans into raptures two minutes later when he scored a breathtaking goal after meeting Meaataz Kailouni's cross with a left-legged scorpion kick that flew past Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Abbas into the net.


However, Bahrain levelled the score in the dying seconds of the half when Hamad Al Banki was fouled in the Syrian box by defender Bwrhan Sahiwni and Okwunwanne converted the resulting penalty.


Bahrain continued their pressure after the restart and went close on several occasions only to be denied by an impressive display by Ali Al Holami.


On 58 minutes, Okwunwanne beat the Syrian offside trap and had only the Syrian keeper to beat but curled his effort just inches wide of the far post.


Bahrain should have sealed the game in the 65th minute when Abdullah Fatadi sent Mahmood Ayyad clear with only the goalkeeper to beat, only for Al Holami to save his side once again.


The match appeared to be ebbing towards a 1-1 draw but in the second minute of stoppage time, the Bahrainis burst forward, Okwunwanne launching a quick attack by passing to Hamad Al Banki who advanced into the Syrian box and sent the ball past Al Holami and defender Hamzeh Al Aitone, allowing Okwunwanne to tap into the unguarded net.

巴林反勝敘利亞  
2007年8月23日






（敘利亞）一球落後的巴林，憑藉非洲裔球員傑伊西梅開二度之助，以2比1反勝敘利亞，在2008年北京奧運亞洲區12強預選賽B組賽取得亮麗開門紅。



東道主敘利亞在第37分鐘由阿爾胡申先拔頭籌，傑伊西在第44分鐘攻進罰球扳平。傑伊西在完場前數杪，再次神兵下凡，助巴林喧賓奪主。



巴林和韓國目前同取一勝在小組並列榜首。


Iraq and Australia play out scoreless draw  
August 23 2007






DOHA: Iraq and Australia played out a dull goalless draw at Al Rayyan Stadium in Doha on Wednesday in their opening Group A match of the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.


In a match of few real chances, Athens 2004 semi-finalists Iraq nearly snatched victory at the death but Nabeel Lafta fired over the Australian crossbar from point blank range.


The first half was a scrappy affair in which neither side was able to create any decent efforts on the opposition goal in the opening half-hour.


The Australians finally fashioned a chance in the 30th minute when Nicholas Ward floated in a cross from the right flank that Bruce Djite headed narrowly wide.


On 38 minutes, the Iraqis threatened when Dira Habieb's cross from the left found the head of Ala'a Khashen, who put his header on target but straight at Australian goalkeeper Daniel Vukovic.


Playmaker Karrar Jassim was Iraq's biggest threat going forward and he manufactured an opening for himself in the 43rd minute when he twisted and turned on the edge of the Australian box before firing in a low shot that was well covered by Vukovic.


The Iraqis had their best opportunity of the half in stoppage time when they were awarded a free kick right on the edge of the box after Mostfa Abdulla was taken down by Adrian Leijer's tackle.


But skipper Ali Hussein Rehema spurned the chance, firing his attempt over the Australian crossbar.


The turgid play continued after the break and there was little excitement for the spectators until the 72nd minute when Djite went down in the Iraq box as he attempted to get past goalkeeper Mohammed Kadhum. But Chinese referee Sun Baojie was unimpressed and turned down the Australian's penalty claim.


The game sparked briefly to life with David Williams firing in a low shot that forced a save out of the Iraqi keeper while Djite nearly caught out the Iraqi defence when he burst into the box on the blind side of defender Fareed Ghadban only to shoot straight at Kadhum from six metres out.

On 77 minutes Mostfa Abdulla turned past Matthew Sprianovic on the right of the Australian box but saw his centring pass cut off by Vukovic just before it could reach a lurking Karrar Jassim.


The game then limped towards its conclusion but the Iraqis nearly stole all three points in stoppage time when Dira Habeib flicked on an Ali Mshehid into a crowded Australian goalmouth only for Nabeel Lafta to lift the final chance over the crossbar.




伊拉克澳大利亞掛零言和  
2007年8月23日






（多哈）伊拉克和澳大利亞在2008年北京奧運亞洲區12強預選賽A組焦點戰互交白卷。



在2004年雅典奧運會打進半決賽的伊拉克，原有機會全取3分，但拉夫塔在補時階段的近距離射門稍微高出。



上半場悶場連連，雙方都創造不出任何破門機會。



比賽進行至第72分鐘，澳大利亞前鋒德吉特殺入禁區，看似給伊拉克門將卡德胡姆絆倒，但裁判不為所動。


Al Hamad on target as Qatar edge Saudi  
August 23 2007




DOHA: Qatar enjoyed a good start in the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on Wednesday as they recorded a hard fought 1-0

victory against Saudi Arabia at Al Sadd Stadium.


After a scoreless first half, the Qataris broke the deadlock 19 minutes from

time as Mesaad Al Hamad fired home from the edge of the box to give his side all three points as they joined Japan, who beat Vietnam 1-0 in Tokyo, at the top of Group C.


Qatar had the upper hand early on and created the first chance of the game after only four minutes when striker Yusef Ali's powerful shot sailed over the crossbar.


Ali had another opportunity on 12 minutes when he went past three Saudi players just inside the area before unleashing a powerful drive that went straight at goalkeeper Waleed Ali.


Saudi Arabia emerged from their shell and nearly opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Yousef Al Salem closed in on the Qatari goal after beating defender Ibrahim Abdulmajed only to be denied by goalkeeper Rajab Kassim who turned the ball aside for a corner.


The game was still scoreless at the half-time break but the home side came out strongly in the second half as their Moroccan coach Hassan Hormatulla brought on Musa Juma and Maaz Adam as substitutes.


The moves paid dividends as the home side took control of proceedings and finally went ahead in the 71st minute.


Majdi Siddiq sent in a free kick from the right flank that was cleared by

the Saudi defence but fell nicely for Al Hamad, who was waiting on the edge of the area, and launched a powerful drive that found its way past Waleed Ali into the bottom left corner of the Saudi net.


The goal spurred the visitors to life and they nearly equalised in the 75th

minute when Naif Hazzazi burst past two Qatari defenders before sending a fierce drive towards goal only to be denied by Rajab Kassim.


Qatar nearly sealed the game on the break in the 77th minute as Yusuf Ali's powerful header went inches wide of the Saudi left upright.


Saudi Arabia continued to turn up the pressure and four minutes from the end they went close again when Ibrahim Sharahili's long range missile nearly took Rajab Kassim by surprise.


Qatar substitute Waleed Jassim could have made the game safe shortly

afterwards as his shot came back off the woodwork.


But it would not prove too costly for the home side as Abdelellah Al

Hawsawi's final effort for the Saudis came back off the post before

goalscoring hero Al Hamad cleared the danger.


"I’m very satisfied with the way they performed today,” said Qatar coach Harmatullah. "We played good attacking football from the start and defended well.”


“We knew it was always going to be tough game as the Saudis like to keep things tight in the middle. So we opted to go for long crosses which worked out perfectly for us.”


Qatar midfielder Talal Al Bloushi said that the team’s positive state of mind was the key to victory.


"I think we showed a lot of confidence all through and didn’t panic," said the Al Sadd player after the match.


"It is now important that we take this form to the next game," he added.


Meanwhile, Saudi coach Bandar Al Jaitheen was left to rue his side’s missed chance, particulary in the first half when the visitors were on top


“Yousef Al Salem was unlucky not to score a goal, which could have changed the face of the game,” lamented the Saudi coach.


However, he conceded that Qatar were the better of the two sides for much of the evening.


“Qatar have many players who have already played in their senior national side. They played to their strengths and make strong runs with the ball,” he added.

卡塔爾挫沙特  
2007年8月23日






（多哈）卡塔爾在2008年北京奧運亞洲區12強預選賽C組序幕戰，居主以1比0力克沙特阿拉伯。



雙方在上半場互交白卷。



卡塔爾在完場前19分鐘打破僵局，阿爾哈馬德在禁區邊緣射門中的，讓沙特飲恨沙場。



卡塔爾和日本目前同取一勝在C組並列榜首。

Z_Ho

Ten-man Lebanon beat DPR Korea
August 24 2007


PYONGYANG: The Lebanon Olympic team survived immense pressure from DPR Korea at Kim II Sung Stadium to win 1-0 in their first game in Group A of the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on Thursday.

The only goal of the game came after 12 minutes when Ali Yaakoub scored from the penalty spot to give his side their first three points and put them at the top of the group after the goalless draw between fellow Group A sides Iraq and Australia on Wednesday.

The game was originally scheduled to be held on Wednesday but due to the long journey of the Lebanese side from the Middle East to Pyongyang, it was decided the match would be re-arranged for Thursday.

The home side made a bright start but they were stunned after only 12 minutes when they fell behind following the first real attack from the Lebanese side.

Tarek Al Ali launched a quick attack towards the penalty area of DPR Korea and fired a powerful ball which was blocked by the hand of defender Ri Jun-Il and the Thai referee Satop Tongkhan pointed to the spot. Ali Yaakoub proceeded to successfully fire beyond Ri Myung-Guk.

The goal gave more reason for DPR Korea to attack and they should have leveled the scores in the 25th minute when substitute Kim Kyong-Il, who came on six minutes earlier for Ri Chol, fired a powerful drive from the edge of the area but his shot went directly into the hands of Lebanon goalkeeper Hassan Moghnieh.

Three minutes later, DPR Korea had another chance after a cross from the right flank which was followed by a Choe Chol-Man's header but Moghnieh was alert to make the save.

The hosts continued their pressure at the start of the second half but they couldn't unlock the Lebanese defence who could only sit in their half and defend their lead.

Lebanon received a big blow just 11 minutes before the end when their skipper and main central defender Ali Al Saadi was sent off after receiving his second bookable offence following a foul on Jang Myong-Il.

The home side nearly took advantage of their numerical advantage in the 84th minute when second-half substitute Ryang Myong-Il sent a tempting cross inside the area which was punched away by Lebanon goalkeeper Hassan Moghnieh.

Moghnieh became the hero for his side on the night when he fully stretched to his right in order to save a powerful header from Pak Nam-Chol with the tips of his fingers.

With only two minutes left on the clock, the referee stopped the game due to a floodlight failure. Play finally resumed 10 minutes later but Lebanon held their nerve to emerge as winners.

2008北京奧運會亞洲區足球預選賽：十人黎巴嫩力克勁敵朝鮮
2007年8月24日


（平壤）週四在平壤金正日體育場進行的2008北京奧運會亞洲區足球預選賽A組的一場比賽中，年輕的黎巴嫩國奧隊在重壓之下表現出色，以1比0力克主隊朝鮮，拿到了關鍵的客場3分。

本場比賽原定於週三舉行，但由於黎巴嫩從西亞到平壤的長途跋涉而延遲到週四舉行。

朝鮮在本場比賽中開局不錯，憑借主場優勢在開賽不久就向黎巴嫩腹地發動了猛烈的進攻，但經驗老道的黎巴嫩還是挺過了朝鮮的三板斧，抓住對方後衛禁區內手球犯規的機會由阿里亞克伯在第12分鐘時憑借點球機會率先攻門得手，這也是全場比賽中唯一一粒入球。

朝鮮在落後之後大舉反攻，強大的進攻優勢逼迫黎巴嫩中後衛阿里阿爾薩迪在79分鐘吃到第二張黃牌而被罰出場，而朝鮮隊在84分鐘幾乎憑借人數的優勢將比分扳平，只是表現更佳出色的黎巴嫩國奧隊沒有給朝鮮國奧隊任何機會，將1球的領先優勢保持到終場結束。

由於同在對手伊拉克與澳大利亞在週三比賽中0比0握手言和，黎巴嫩因此憑借本輪取得的3分暫列A組榜首。

Z_Ho

Nigeria	4	2	1	1	0	4	3	+1
South Africa	1	1	0	1	0	1	1	0
Ghana	0	1	0	0	1	2	3	-1
Ethiopia	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

June 1-June 3, 2007



Ethiopia [2–2] South AfricaNigeria 3–2 GhanaEthiopia-South Africa result expunged following Ethiopia's withdrawal.
August 22, 2007



South Africa 1–1 Nigeria

Zambia	6	2	2	0	0	4	1	+3
Côte d'Ivoire	3	2	1	0	1	2	2	0
Mali	1	2	0	1	1	1	2	-1
Senegal	1	2	0	1	1	0	2	-2

August 22, 2007



Mali 1–2 ZambiaCôte d'Ivoire 2–0 Senegal

Morocco	6	2	2	0	0	3	1	+2
Cameroon	4	2	1	1	0	6	1	+5
Botswana	1	2	0	1	1	0	1	-1
Guinea	0	2	0	0	2	2	8	-6

August 22, 2007



Botswana 0–0 CameroonGuinea 1–2 Morocco

Z_Ho

Surinam, Trinidad & Tobago open Caribbean Group A with victories

1.9.07 - Trinidad & Tobago and the hosts, Surinam opened the Caribbean Group A Qualification to the CONCACAF Under-23 Tournament with victories over Guyana and Netherlands Antilles, respectively, at the Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadium in Paramaribo on 31 August.

Two goals by Shane Calderon and one each from Simeon Augustus and Corneal Thomas led Trinidad & Tobago (1-0-0, 3 Points) in the 4:0 win over Guyana (0-1-0, 0 Points) in the first encounter at the Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadium.

In the other match in Paramaribo, Cleon Wondel scored for Surinam (1-0-0, 3 Points) in the 1:0 triumph over the Netherlands Antilles (0-1-0, 0 Points).

The Caribbean Group A continues at the Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadium on 2 September when the Netherlands Antilles takes on Trinidad & Tobago and then Surinam greets Guyana. The quadrangular concludes two days later in Paramaribo, with Guyana facing the Netherlands Antilles and then Surinam hosting Trinidad & Tobago.

The Group A winner will join five other Caribbean quadrangular victors in the second round that consists of two three-team groups scheduled to play in October 2007. The top finishers in each triangular group will progress to the 2008 CONCACAF U-23 Final Round Tournament.

Elsewhere, the Men’s U-23 Central American Preliminary Qualification will have two groups of three with Panama hosting El Salvador and Honduras from 7-11 November, while Guatemala welcomes Costa Rica and Nicaragua from 14-18 November.

The winners of each triangular will advance to the CONCACAF Men’s U-23 Tournament along with two Caribbean teams, Canada, Mexico and USA with venue and dates to be announced. The two second-place finishers from each Central American Triangular will meet in a home-and-away playoff series with the winner also progressing to the CONCACAF U-23 Final Round Tournament, where two teams will qualify to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

2008 CONCACAF UNDER-23 TOURNAMENT
Caribbean Qualification – First Round
Group A – Paramaribo, SURINAM; Dr. Ir . Franklin Essed Stadium
31.08.2007: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO – GUYANA 4:0 (4:0) (A: 300)
Shane CALDERON 4’, 9’; Corneal THOMAS 11’; Simeon AUGUSTUS 45’+
TRI: Kevin Mussio – Corneal Thomas (90: Devon Drayton), Aklie Edwards, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Keon Daniel, Shane Calderon-C, Larry Bacchus, Simeon Augustus, Marcelle Francois, Carlyle Mitchell (81: Kendall Jagdeosingh), Christopher Sam. Booked: none
TD: Michael MCCOMIE
GUY: Andrew Durant – Kelvin Smith, Devaughn Dummett, Dwain Jacobs, Dwight Peters, Konata Mannings, Edison Gomes (67: Quincy Madramootoo), Javin Crawford (46: Calvion Sheppard), Quacy Johnson, Vurlon Mills (76: Brian Baker), Richard Joseph. Booked: Smith 61’
TD: Jamaal SHABAZZ
R: Royon SMALL (BRB)

SURINAM – NETHERLANDS ANTILLES 1:0 (1:0) (A: 800)
Cleon WONDEL 14’
SUR: Ronley Ravenberg – Orlando Esajas, Furgil Ong A Fat, Vernon Etnel, Julio Fabian Afoemang, Romano Sordam (61: Jerome Strijder), Cleon Wondel (73: Raydell Shuurman), Emilio Limon, Melvin Valies, Vahid Vinisie (60: Kenzo Hurr), Geovanni Tiendari. Booked: none
TD: Kenneth JALIENS
ANT: Rowendy Sumter – Rilove Janga (46: Gedeon Poppen), Jonathan Molina, Shanon Carmelia, Eder Constancia, Joel Victoria, Kenneth Kunst, Ashar Bernardus (76: Raychenald Raap), Luigison Doran, Shayron Anatatia (46: Michael Rijna), Gersinio Constansia. Booked: none
TD: Etienne SILEE
R: Mark FORDE (BRB)

02.09.2007: NETHERLANDS ANTILLES – TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (16:30)
SURINAM – GUYANA (18:30)

04.09.2007: GUYANA – NETHERLANDS ANTILLES (19:00)
SURINAM – TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (21:00)

Z_Ho

Bahamas post Caribbean Group F win; Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago triumph in Group A

2.9.07 - The hosts Bahamas began the Caribbean Group F Qualification to the CONCACAF Under-23 Tournament with a 6:1 win over the US Virgin Islands at the BFA National Centre in Nassau on 2 September.

Happy Hall and Shermord Thompson scored two goals each for the Bahamas (1-0-0, 3 Points) in the victory against the US Virgin Islands (0-1-0, 0 Points).

The Caribbean Group F continues at the BFA National Centre on 4 September as the US Virgin Islands takes on the British Virgin Islands (0-0-0, 0 Points). The triangular ends two days later in Nassau when the Bahamas greets the British Virgin Islands.

Elsewhere in Caribbean Qualification, Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana triumphed over the Netherlands Antilles and the hosts, Surinam, respectively, in Group A at the Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadium in Paramaribo on 2 September.

Simeon Augustus, Shane Calderon and Carlyle Mitchell scored for Trinidad & Tobago (2-0-0, 6 Points) in the 3:0 victory against the Netherlands Antilles (0-2-0, 0 Points), while Guyana (1-1-0, 3 Points) got goals by Konata Mannings and Dwight Peters to defeat Surinam (1-1-0, 3 Points) 2:1.

The Caribbean Group A concludes on 4 September at the Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadium with Guyana taking on the Netherlands Antilles and then Surinam facing Trinidad & Tobago.

The winners of Group A & F will join four other Caribbean group victors in the second round that consists of two three-team groups scheduled to play in October 2007. The top finishers in each triangular group will progress to the 2008 CONCACAF U-23 Final Round Tournament.

Elsewhere, the Men’s U-23 Central American Preliminary Qualification will have two groups of three with Panama hosting El Salvador and Honduras from 7-11 November, while Guatemala welcomes Costa Rica and Nicaragua from 14-18 November.

The winners of each triangular will advance to the CONCACAF Men’s U-23 Tournament along with two Caribbean teams, Canada, Mexico and USA with venue and dates to be announced. The two second-place finishers from each Central American Triangular will meet in a home-and-away playoff series with the winner also progressing to the CONCACAF U-23 Final Round Tournament, where two teams will qualify to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

2008 CONCACAF UNDER-23 TOURNAMENT
Caribbean Qualification – First Round
Group A – Paramaribo, SURINAM; Dr. Ir . Franklin Essed Stadium
02.09.2007: NETHERLANDS ANTILLES – TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 0:3 (0:1) (A: 150)
Carlyle MITCHELL 12’; Simeon AUGUSTUS 61’; Shane CALDERON 82’
ANT: Rowendy Sumter – Jonathan Molina, Gedeon Poppen, Eder Constancia, Luigison Doran, Shayron Anatatia-C, Joel Victoria (46: Ray Winklaar), Michael Rijna (72: Ashar Bernardus), Kenneth Kunst, Gersinio Constansia (72: Raychenald Raap), Rilove Janga. Booked: none
TD: Etienne SILEE
TRI: Kevin Mussio – Corneal Thomas (37: Devon Drayton), Aklie Edwards, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Keon Daniel, Shane Calderon-C, Larry Bacchus, Simeon Augustus, Marcelle Francois, Carlyle Mitchell (68: Kendall Jagdeosingh), Christopher Sam (61: Hayden Tinto). Booked: none
TD: Michael MCCOMIE
R: Barney CALLEDNER (BRB)

SURINAM – GUYANA 1:2 (1:2) (A: 400)
Emilio LIMON 7’ – Dwight PETERS 2’; Konata MANNINGS 45’
SUR: Ronley Ravenberg – Orlando Esajas, Furgil Ong A Fat, Vernon Etnel, Julio Fabian Afoemang, Romano Sordam, Cleon Wondel (52: Kenzo Hurr), Emilio Limon, Melvin Valies, Vahid Vinisie (52: Raydell Shuurman), Geovanni Tiendari (63: Jerome Strijder). Booked: Etnel 48’, Huur 72’
TD: Kenneth JALIENS
GUY: Andrew Durant – Kelvin Smith (48: Javin Crawford), Quincy Madramootoo, Devaughn Dummett, Dwain Jacobs, Dwight Peters, Konata Mannings, Philbert Moffat (75: Shavane Seaforth), Quacy Johnson, Vurlon Mills (61: Edison Gomes), Richard Joseph. Booked: Johnson 80’
TD: Jamaal SHABAZZ
R: Royon SMALL (BRB)

04.09.2007: GUYANA – NETHERLANDS ANTILLES (19:00)
SURINAM – TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (21:00)

Group F – Nassau, BAHAMAS; BFA National Centre
02.09.2007: BAHAMAS – US VIRGIN ISLANDS 6:1 (3:0) (A: 420)
Demont MITCHELL 9’; Happy HALL 29’, 60’; Shermord THOMPSON 40’ pen, 69’ pen; Cameron HEPPLE 53’ – Stephen WALKER 77’
BAH: Dwayne Whylly – Happy Hall-C, Bernard Rahming, Dana Veth, Alex Vanderpool-Wallace, Lesley St. Fleur (78: Jonathon Shiel-Rolle), Lamar Cancino, Cameron Hepple, Shemord Thompson, Connor Sheehan (82: Kyle Williams), Demont Mitchell (58: Ryan Moseley). Booked: none
TD: Neider DOS SANTOS
VIR: John Bingham – Ayinde Augustus, Alexander Nissman, Stephen Walker, Bryce Pierre (67: Francisco Fonseca), Joshua Monty-C, Christopher Gonzalez (46: Dennis Liburd), Aaron Lewis, Augustine Woodley (41: Lishati Bailey), Alberto Van Gurple Jr., Macdonald Taylor. Booked: Gonzalez 15’, Woodley 19’, Bingham 39’, Liburd 53’
TD: Carlton FREEMAN
R: Alfredo WHITTAKER (CAY)

04.09.2007: US VIRGIN ISLANDS – BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (17:00)
06.09.2007: BAHAMAS – BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (17:00)

Z_Ho

British Virgin Islands withdraws; Bahamas advances to Caribbean Second Round

3.9.07 - Following the last minute withdrawal of British Virgin Islands, the hosts Bahamas advanced to the Caribbean Second Round Qualification to the CONCACAF Under-23 Tournament after finishing first in Group F at the BFA National Centre in Nassau this week.

The Bahamas (1-0-0, 3 Points) began the Caribbean Group F on 2 September with a 6:1 victory over the US Virgin Islands (0-1-0, 0 Points).

The result along with the withdrawal of British Virgin Islands gave the Bahamas first place in the triangular and they have advanced Caribbean Second Round next month.

Elsewhere in Caribbean Qualification, Group A concludes on 4 September at the Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadium with Guyana (1-1-0, 3 Points) taking on the Netherlands Antilles (0-2-0, 0 Points) and then Surinam (1-1-0, 3 Points) facing Trinidad & Tobago (2-0-0, 6 Points).

The winner of Group A will join the Bahamas along with four other Caribbean group victors in the second round that consists of two three-team groups scheduled to play in October 2007. The top finishers in each triangular group will progress to the 2008 CONCACAF U-23 Final Round Tournament.

Elsewhere, the Men’s U-23 Central American Preliminary Qualification will have two groups of three with Panama hosting El Salvador and Honduras from 7-11 November, while Guatemala welcomes Costa Rica and Nicaragua from 14-18 November.

The winners of each triangular will advance to the CONCACAF Men’s U-23 Tournament along with two Caribbean teams, Canada, Mexico and USA with venue and dates to be announced. The two second-place finishers from each Central American Triangular will meet in a home-and-away playoff series with the winner also progressing to the CONCACAF U-23 Final Round Tournament, where two teams will qualify to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

2008 CONCACAF UNDER-23 TOURNAMENT
Caribbean Qualification – First Round
Group A – Paramaribo, SURINAM; Dr. Ir . Franklin Essed Stadium
04.09.2007: GUYANA – NETHERLANDS ANTILLES (19:00)
SURINAM – TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (21:00)

Group F – Nassau, BAHAMAS; BFA National Centre
02.09.2007: BAHAMAS – US VIRGIN ISLANDS 6:1 (3:0) (A: 420)

Raul

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdfuLN0yx34

好靚

Z_Ho

Trinidad & Tobago progress to Caribbean Second Round



5.9.07 - Trinidad & Tobago progressed to the Caribbean Second Round Qualification to the CONCACAF Under-23 Tournament after taking the top spot in the First Round Group A following a 0:0 tie against the hosts, Surinam at the Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadium in Paramaribo on 4 September.
Prior to the scoreless draw between Trinidad & Tobago (2-0-1, 7 Points) and Surinam (1-1-1, 4 Points), Guyana (1-1-1, 4 Points) played to a 2:2 tie against the Netherlands Antilles (0-2-1, 1 Point).

Trinidad & Tobago joins the Bahamas and four other Caribbean group winners in the second round that consists of two three-team groups scheduled to play in October 2007. The top finishers in each triangular group will progress to the 2008 CONCACAF U-23 Final Round Tournament.

Elsewhere, the Men’s U-23 Central American Preliminary Qualification will have two groups of three with Panama hosting El Salvador and Honduras from 7-11 November, while Guatemala welcomes Costa Rica and Nicaragua from 14-18 November.

The winners of each triangular will advance to the CONCACAF Men’s U-23 Tournament along with two Caribbean teams, Canada, Mexico and USA with venue and dates to be announced. The two second-place finishers from each Central American Triangular will meet in a home-and-away playoff series with the winner also progressing to the CONCACAF U-23 Final Round Tournament, where two teams will qualify to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

2008 CONCACAF UNDER-23 TOURNAMENT
Caribbean Qualification – First Round
Group A – Paramaribo, SURINAM; Dr. Ir . Franklin Essed Stadium
04.09.2007: GUYANA – NETHERLANDS ANTILLES 2:2 (1:0) (A: 200)
Dwain JACOBS 21’; Dwight PETERS 66’ – Doran HUIGISON 78’; Rilove JANGA 90’
GUY: Andrew Durant – Kelvin Smith, Quincy Madramootoo (46: Edison Gomes), Devaughn Dummett, Dwain Jacobs (74: Calvion Sheppard), Dwight Peters, Konata Mannings, Brian Baker, Philbert Moffat, Quacy Johnson (64: Javin Crawford), Richard Joseph. Booked: Gomes 59’
TD: Jamaal SHABAZZ
ANT: Rowendy Sumter – Shayron Anatatia, Ashar Bernardus (76: Raychenald Raap), Eder Constancia (74: Gedeon Poppen), Gersinio Constansia, Luigison Doran, Sharon Carmelia, Kenneth Kunst, Rignald Gowens, Jonathan Molina, Michael Ryna (60: Rilove Janga). Booked: Constansia 6’
TD: Etienne SILEE
R: Barney CALLENDER (BRB)

SURINAM – TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 0:0
SUR: Ronley Ravenberg – Foline Abauna, Furgil Ong A Fat, Julio Fabian Afoemang, Jerome Strijder, Romano Sordam, Lionel Carolus (46: Raydel Schuurman), Kenzo Huur (74: Geovanni Tiendari), Vernon Etnel, Emilio Limon, Melvin Valies (78: Vahid Vinisie). Booked: Tiendari 90’+
TD: Kenneth JALIENS
TRI: Kevin Mussio (55: Kareem Gray) – Devon Drayton, Aklie Edwards, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Keon Daniel, Shane Calderon, Kendall Jagdeosingh (62: Hayden Tinto), Larry Bacchus, Simeon Augustus (74: Stephan St. Louis), Marcelle Francois, Christopher Sam. Booked: Abu Bakr 30’, Sent offs: Abu Bakr 84’
TD: Michael MCCOMIE
R: Mark FORDE (BRB)

Z_Ho

Qatar held by spirited Vietnam
September 8 2007


HANOI: History repeated itself at the My Dinh Stadium on Saturday as Vietnam and Qatar drew 1-1 in the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games to mirror the result of their AFC Asian Cup clash at the same venue in July.

A defensive-minded Qatar side took a ninth minute lead when Mohammed Abdulrahab Al Yazidi threaded the ball through a pack of Vietnamese players and into the net only to give away the free-kick that led to Nguyen Vu Phong’s equaliser four minutes later.

The home side started confidently and a generous second minute free-kick gave Le Cong Vinh the first opportunity of the match but the Vietnam skipper fired wastefully over Rajab Hamza’s goal.

Three minutes later Hamza flapped nervously at Nguyen Vu Phong free-kick from the left before the Al Ahli keeper needed a packed penalty box to deny Vietnam a clean strike as the Asian Games gold medallists struggled to come to terms with the pace of their opponents.

But against the run of play the Qataris took the lead as Al Yazidi sweetly side-footed the ball past four defenders and between the flailing hand of the diving Tran Duc Cuong and the left hand post.

The home crowd was silenced but Al Yazidi went from hero to villain as his cynical hack at Cong Vinh not only earned him the first yellow card of the match but also gave away the free-kick from which the Vietnamese drew level.

Cong Vinh shaped to shoot but instead knocked the ball into the path of Vu Phong and the impressive Binh Duong midfielder unleashed a low 30-yard screamer that flew past the shaky Hamza for a thoroughly deserved equaliser.

The frenetic pace of the opening 25 minutes gave way to a succession of misplaced passes as neither side could muster an attack of note although Vietnam upped the tempo as half-time approached.

Nguyen Anh Duc looked to have given the home side the initiative going into the break when he bundled the ball over the line after Vu Phong’s shot had come off the crossbar but the forward had clearly used his hand and had no complaints when Korean referee Lee Gi-young showed him the yellow card.

Just as they did in the first half, Vietnam started the second have with more purpose than the visitors but they needed a superb 55th minute sliding tackle from Doan Viet Cuong to push the ball away from Mohammed Salem Al Hamad just as the Qatari attacker was about to pull the trigger in the Vietnam penalty box.

Ten minutes later Vietnam should have taken the lead when the diminutive Anh Duc somehow leapt higher than two six-foot plus central defenders only to head Mai Tian Thanh’s cross disappointingly off target.

Two minutes later the tireless Cong Vinh shot inches wide from outside the penalty area before an unfortunate bobble saw Mohamed Al Sayed hit the side netting in the 70th minute.

In second half stoppage time Maaz Adam gave away a needless foul and Mai Xuan Hop fired in a low free-kick which bounced off the Qatar keeper’s arms and fortuitously onto the woodwork.

It was Vietnam’s first point of their Group C campaign following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Japan in Tokyo while Qatar’s tally now stands at four having defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0 in Doha in their opener.

越南逼平卡塔爾
2007年9月8日


（河內）越南重演2007年亞足聯亞洲盃神奇，在2008年北京奧運亞洲區預選賽C組賽，居主以1比1逼平卡塔爾。

兩隊在7月舉行的2007年亞足聯亞洲盃小組賽，以同一比數收場。

卡塔爾由阿爾雅茲迪在第9分鐘首開紀錄，越南僅用了4分鐘就由阮文邦扳平。

首輪以0比1惜負日本的越南，也是首次拿分。卡塔爾現積4分在此組居次。

Z_Ho

Milligan strikes as Australia overcome DPR Korea
September 8 2007


NEWCASTLE: Captain Mark Milligan scored the only goal of the game with a powerful header early in the second half to earn Australia victory over DPR Korea on Saturday evening in the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The Sydney FC defender directed Kristian Sarkies' corner beyond Ri Myong-guk in the Korean goal four minutes after the interval to earn the Olyroos their first win in Group A.

But the Koreans will count themselves unfortunate not to have earned a draw after Jon Kwang-ik thundered a shot against the crossbar and Kim Kyong-il sent an effort narrowly wide.

The Koreans were forced to come out of their defensive shell following Milligan's goal, which came as the Australians made a blistering start to the second period.

Mark Bridge almost opened the scoring just seconds earlier only for Pak Chol-jin to throw himself in front of the low shot from the Newcastle Jets striker as Graham Arnold's team sought to put a disappointing opening 45 minutes behind them.

Despite dominating possession in the first half, the Australians were largely limited to goal attempts from outside the penalty area throughout the opening 45 minutes.

It took the Olyroos 16 minutes before having their first attempt on goal only for Sarkies to miss the target with his effort from 20 yards out while just seconds later Bridge tried his luck from a similar distance, only to send the ball well over the crossbar.

Seven minutes later Ruben Zadkovich's low shot from the edge of the area was collected by Korean goalkeeper Ri Myong-guk while in the 25th minute David Williams' shot was just off target after Ri had misjudged an Australian corner.

Australia's dominance of the ball continued but the Koreans remained resolute and well organised in defence and with 10 minutes remaining in the half Nikolai Topor-Stanley was another to try his luck, but the Perth Glory man's 35 yard drive was wayward.

Less than a minute later, however, the Olyroos finally managed to find a way into the penalty area when an error by Ri Kwang-chon saw the ball drop at the feet of Billy Celeski, but Ri Myung-guk blocked his shot at close range to only concede a corner.

The win moves Australia on to four points from their first two games after their opening goalless draw with Iraq while DPR Korea remain pointless going into Wednesday's third round clash with Iraq after also losing 1-0 to Lebanon.

Australia coach Graham Arnold feels that his side have to improve on their finishing despite claiming their first win.

"I was happy, but not happy with the final third," said the Australia coach.

"The boys carried out the game plan great; defensively from the front to the back we were very, very good.

"But in international football, when you have three or four occasions where it’s three against one and you blow them every time, you can end up getting punished.

"That’s the downside of it; the good side of it is that they are a very disciplined group of players that obviously play with a lot of passion. But their decision making can be improved."

With a home match still to come on Wednesday against Lebanon in Gosford, Arnold has reason to be confident about his side’s prospects in Group A.

"We’ve got four points from six, which is a great start," he added.

“Now we’ve got Lebanon on Wednesday which is going to be difficult but they’ve got a lot of travel to do after their match against Iraq and they don’t get here until Monday.

"We’ve got to make sure we do all the things right now in terms of recovery and get ready for the game."

Having had it relatively easy in the past in the Oceania qualifiers, Arnold is well aware that it will not be easy to earn a Olympic spot through the Asian qualifiers, particularly with away matches still to come against Lebanon and DPR Korea.

“We played last month against Iraq in Qatar in 40 degrees and we’ll play in two months time in North Korea in minus-five on artificial grass.

“That’s Asia and these are all hurdles that we all have to try to get over. And we’re playing against good teams so every game is going to be hard.

“Our days of winning 23-0, 30-0 and six, seven and eight-nil are over.”

澳大利亞取首勝
2007年9月8日


（紐卡斯爾）隊長米利甘一槌定音，助澳大利亞在2008年北京奧運亞洲區預選賽A組賽，居主以1比0勇挫朝鮮。

效力悉尼FC的後衛米利甘，在第49分鐘把隊友薩吉斯開出的角球頂入網窩，助隊全取3分。

朝鮮過後力圖反撲，但全光益和金勇一的射門，先後擊中門楣和微差落野，無功而返。

Z_Ho

Korea Republic edge past Bahrain 1-0
September 9 2007


MANAMA: A second-half header by Kang Min Soo gave Korea Republic their second consecutive victory in the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games as they scored a 1-0 away win against Bahrain on Saturday.

Following a scoreless first half at Bahrain National Stadium, Kang netted the only goal of the game in the 64th minute when he rose to head home a Kim Seung-yong free kick to give the east Asian side all three points in the Group A clash.

Having beaten Uzbekistan 2-1 last month, the Koreans moved three points clear at the top of the group and remained firmly on course for a sixth consecutive appearance in the Men's Olympic Football Tournament.

Bahrain went into the game without their Nigeria-born duo of midfielder Abdulla Fatadi, who missed the game through suspension, and striker Jaycee Okwunwanne, who was dropped following his absence from training for the match.

The Koreans also had selection issues with three players - Lee Sung-hyun, Choi Chul-soon and Lee Keun-ho - missing due to suspension.

The Koreans had the first real opportunity of the game in the 26th minute but Ki Sung-yueng's free kick did little to trouble Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Abbas.

Bahrain had a free kick of their own a minute later but Faouzi Aaish's shot flew directly at Korean goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong.

Park Sung-hwa's men had the best chance of the opening half in the 38th minute when striker Kim Seung Yong made his way into the area and beat Bahrain defender Jasim Al Malood before shooting inches wide of the right post.

The Koreans were dealt a serious blow when they had to replace goalkeeper Jung at half-time due to injury and his replacement Song Yougual was tested five minutes after the break when he had to turn away a free-kick taken by striker Ismaeel Abdullatif, the scorer of the winner when Bahrain beat Korea 2-1 in the AFC Asian Cup in July.

The visitors should have broken the deadlock on the hour mark when Kim Seung-yong went past defender Jasim Al Malood only to see his effort blocked by Sayed Abbas.

However, the Koreans finally broke the deadlock on 64 minutes when Kim sent in a free kick from the right flank that was met by Kang, who headed his side ahead.

It should have been 2-0 in the 69th minute, when Korean livewire Kim Seung-yong received the ball on the edge of the area and fired the ball just inches wide of the left post.

Bahrain went close to pulling a goal back in the 72nd minute when Abdulla Al Dakeel latched onto a long ball and used his pace to surge past the Korean defence before curling a shot towards the left corner of the Korean goal only for goalkeeper Song to alertly push the ball to a corner.

The Bahrainis continued to press forward in the closing minute but the Koreans repelled their efforts to maintain their perfect record in Group B.

韓國挫巴林兩連捷
2007年9月9日


（麥納麥）中衛姜鈱秀在下半場頭槌建功，助韓國在2008年北京奧運亞洲區預選賽A組大戰，客場以1比0力克巴林，取得兩連捷。

兩隊在上半場互交白卷。戰至第64分鐘，姜鈱秀躍高頂進隊友金尚勇開出的任意球，成為英雄。

上一輪以2比1挫烏茲別克的韓國，現積6分獨佔鰲頭，連續6屆打進奧運足球賽的機會樂觀。

Z_Ho

Iraq register first win, thrash Lebanon 5-0
September 9 2007


BEIRUT: Iraq moved to the top of Group A in the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games with a 5-0 drubbing of Lebanon at Beirut Municipality Stadium on Saturday, underlining their challenge for a place in China next summer.

Samer Saeed gave the Iraqis a one-goal advantage at the break before a brace from Ala'a Abdulzahra and a goal each from Ali Abbas and Karram Jassim sealed the victory for Iraq.

As a result, the Iraqis top the group with four points, edging Australia on goal difference after Graham Arnold's side downed DPR Korea earlier in the day, while Lebanon remain in third place on three points.

The Lebanese went into the game without the services of their skipper Ali Al Saadi, who was sent off in the first match against DPR Korea, while Tarek El Ali missed the game due to injury.

Iraq controlled proceedings right from the early exchanges and Asian Cup-winning midfielder Jassim forced the first save out of Lebanon goalkeeper Hassan Moghnieh, who had to be at his acrobatic best in the 18th minute.

Four minutes later another of Iraq's continental title winning side, central defender Ali Hussain Rehema, sent in a cross from the left which was met by Abdulzahra's head only for Moghnieh to push the ball away for a corner.

Parity between the teams was not to last much longer, however, and from the resulting corner, Saeed headed home from close range to put the visitors in front.

Nine minutes later Lebanon narrowly missed out on pulling level when Imad Saad's attempt was cleared off the line by Muhamed Karem and Iraq held on to their slender advantage until the half-time whistle.

The Iraqis kept the pressure on in the second half and 14 minutes after the restart they successfully doubled their lead when Saeed crossed from the right flank and Abdulzahra headed beyond Moghnieh.

In the 73rd minute it was 3-0 for Iraq following a dreadful error by Moghnieh, who failed to clear a back-pass from one of his own defenders and Ali Abbas seized the opportunity to put the ball into the empty net.

Two minutes later, Abdulzahra was fouled inside the area by Mootazbellah El Jounaidi - who was the final Lebanese defender - and he was sent off before Karrar Jassim successfully converted the spot kick.

The Iraqis took their foot off the gas in the remaining minutes but there was still time for a fifth goal as Abdulzahra rose above the Lebanese defence to head home a corner kick, claiming his second on the night to underline the emphatic margin of victory.

伊拉克大勝黎巴嫩居首
2007年9月9日


（貝魯特）伊拉克週六以5比0大破黎巴嫩，升上2008年北京奧運亞洲區預選賽A組榜首。

這也是伊拉克在此組的首場勝利。

薩米爾沙益在半場結束前為伊拉克先下一城，助隊以1比0領先。易邊再戰，阿拉阿都薩拉梅開二度，阿里阿巴斯和卡拉姆卡辛各進一球，助伊拉克完勝。

伊拉克經兩輪比賽取1勝1平積4分居首，澳大利亞同分但凈勝球欠佳居次，黎巴嫩落後一分排名第3位。

Z_Ho

10-man Saudi Arabia hold Japan goalless
September 9 2007


DAMMAM: Japan failed to capitalise on the second half dismissal of Turki Al Thagafi as they played out a goalless draw on Saturday with Saudi Arabia in the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Al Thagafi was sent off after picking up his second yellow card in the 64th minute at the Prince Mohammad Bin Farhad Stadium in Dammam but neither side could manage a breakthrough as the Group C match fizzled out into a stalemate.

With the draw, Japan moved up to four points, tied for top spot in the group with Qatar, who drew 1-1 with Vietnam in Hanoi earlier in the evening. The Saudis are tied for last place with the Vietnamese on one point.

It was the Saudis that had the best of the early openings with Japan goalkeeper Kaito Yamamoto tested in the ninth minute when he had to punch out Ibrahim Shrahili's shot from the edge of the box while Saleh Al Ghwainim fired in a long-range effort that sailed just over the crossbar.

Saudi goalkeeper Waleed Ali had a relatively quiet opening half-hour but he had to be alert on 30 minutes when Akihiro Ienaga's cross from the right found an unmarked Koki Mizuno in the Saudi box.

The JEF United Chiba striker directed his header on target but the Saudi keeper jumped to his right to punch away the effort.

Yasuhito Morishima started in place of misfiring striker Sota Hirayama but the Cerezo Osaka player fared little better as he shot wide in the 32nd minute after being sent clear by Ienaga.

The home side's best chance of the opening half arrived three minute before the break when Abdelellah Al Hawsawi wiggled his way past two Japanese defenders on the left side of the box before firing in a low shot that forced Yamamoto into a save at his near post.

There was little to choose between the two sides in the early minutes of the second half but the match would take a significant turn on 64 minutes when Al Thagafi was dismissed after being shown his second yellow card by Malaysian referee Subkhiddin Salleh.

The Japanese very nearly capitalised a minute later when a cross from the left flank found Morishima, who headed over.

Shortly afterwards, Atsuto Uchida squared the ball to Yohei Kajiyama on the edge of the box but the midfielder put his effort wide.

Hassan Fallatah nearly caught out the Japanese on 70 minutes with a well taken shot from the right edge of the box that was punched away by Yamamoto but the Saudi substitute should have done better two minutes later with a free kick from the edge of the box that he sent well over the crossbar.

With 15 minutes remaining, Ienaga almost broke the deadlock with a header. But with his teammates celebrating what they thought was the winning goal, Waleed Ali dived low to his left to stop the ball just before it could cross the line.

10人沙特悶和日本
2007年9月9日


（達曼）日本無法把握人數優勢，僅能在2008年北京奧運亞洲區預選賽C組重頭戲，客場掛零言和沙特阿拉伯。

阿爾塔加菲在第64分鐘「兩黃變紅」罰下，使沙特在近半句鐘打少一人，可惜日本在控制場面下，得勢不得分。

無論如何，日本仍然憑此平局，積4分續在此組坐大。卡塔爾同分但凈勝球欠佳居次，沙特和越南同積1分居其後。

Z_Ho

Five Caribbean teams begin first round groups with victories

10.9.07 - Five Caribbean teams (Barbados, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Vincent & The Grenadines) began their first round group qualifications to the 2008 CONCACAF Under-23 Tournament with victories on Sunday.

Group B: Goals by Ricardo Cousins, Keammar Daley, Nicholay Finlayson, Steven Morrissey, Troy Smith and Eric Vernon led Jamaica (1-0-0, 3 Points) to a 6:1 triumph over Antigua & Barbuda (0-1-0, 0 Points) at the Complejo Deportivo Guillermo Trinidad in Oranjestad, Aruba. Meanwhile, Barbados (1-0-0, 3 Points) topped the hosts, Aruba (0-1-0, 0 Points) by a score of 2:0.

Group C: Two goals by Eloy Matos and one each from Sol Carere and Steven Estrada helped Puerto Rico (1-0-0, 3 Points) to a 4:0 win against the Cayman Islands (0-1-0, 0 Points) at the Estadio Pedro Marrero in La Habana, Cuba. In the other group encounter, Leonel Durate scored three times and Roberto Yalmacida had two goals to guide Cuba (1-0-0, 3 Points) to a 6:0 victory over Bermuda (0-1-0, 0 Points).

Group D: Orlando Mitchum gave the hosts, St. Kitts & Nevis (0-0-1, 1 Point) the lead but Leandro Garcia got the equaliser for the Dominican Republic (0-0-1, 1 Point) in the 1:1 final score at Warner Park in Basseterre.

Group E: Three goals by Sam Thadeus and another from George Nurrel paced the home-side of St. Vincent & The Grenadines (1-0-0, 3 Points) to a 4:1 triumph against Dominica (0-1-0, 0 Points) at Victoria Park in Kingstown. In an earlier group match, St. Lucia (0-0-1, 1 Point) played to a 3:3 tie against Grenada (0-0-1, 1 Point).

The Caribbean Qualification continues on Tuesday (11 September) in all four groups with the last matches taking place on Thursday (13 September).

The four group winners will join the Bahamas and Trinidad & Tobago in the Caribbean Second Round that consists of two three-team groups scheduled to play in October 2007. The top finishers in each triangular group will progress to the 2008 CONCACAF U-23 Final Round Tournament.

Elsewhere, the Men’s U-23 Central American Preliminary Qualification will have two groups of three with Panama hosting El Salvador and Honduras from 7-11 November, while Guatemala welcomes Costa Rica and Nicaragua from 14-18 November.

The winners of each triangular will advance to the CONCACAF Men’s U-23 Tournament along with two Caribbean teams, Canada, Mexico and USA with venue and dates to be announced. The two second-place finishers from each Central American Triangular will meet in a home-and-away playoff series with the winner also progressing to the CONCACAF U-23 Final Round Tournament, where two teams will qualify to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

2008 CONCACAF MEN’S UNDER-23 TOURNAMENT
Caribbean Qualification – First Round
Group B – Oranjestad, ARUBA; Complejo Deportivo Guillermo Trinidad
09.09.2007: ANTIGUA & BARBUDA – JAMAICA 1:6 (1:3)
Oral ROBERTS 21’ – Troy SMITH 8’; Ricardo COUSINS 26’; Keammar DALEY 45’; Nicholay FINLAYSON 50’; Eric VERNON 65’; Steven MORRISSEY 70’
ATG: Javid Joseph – Lauson Limerick, Karanja Mack, Ocie Knight, Jamari Roberts, Ken Pennyfeather, Lawson Robinson, Oral Roberts (60: Charles Browne), Sadeev Phillip, Jamie Thomas-C (89: Shane Brooks), Randolph Burton (75: Okeem Challenger). Booked: Knight 41’, Roberts 49’, Robinson 64’
TD: Derrick EDWARDS
JAM: Duwayne Kerr – Jermaine Taylor-C (46: Keneil Moodie), Ajuran Brown, Troy Smith, Obrian Woodbine, Eric Vernon (78: Donovan Davis), Nicholay Finlayson, Ricardo Cousins, Keammar Daley (77: Bryan Bayliss), Steven Morrissey, Edward Campbell. Booked: Cousins 81’
TD: Wendell DOWNSWELL
R: Philip JORDAN (TRI)

ARUBA – BARBADOS 0:2

11.09.2007: JAMAICA – BARBADOS (18:00)
ARUBA – ANTIGUA & BARBUDA (20:00)

13.09.2007: BARBADOS – ANTIGUA & BARBUDA (18:00)
ARUBA – JAMAICA (20:00)

Group C – La Habana, CUBA; Estadio Pedro Marrero
09.09.2007: PUERTO RICO – CAYMAN ISLANDS 4:0 (2:0) (A: 200)
Sol CARERE 11’; Eloy MATOS 41’, 51’; Steven ESTRADA 72’
Booked: Chris Garcia 26’, Demetrius White 60’ – Donaldo Solomon 34’, Dion Brandon 55’, McLaughlin 74’
R: David PETERKIN (JAM)

CUBA – BERMUDA 6:0 (2:0) (A: 550)
Roberto YALMACIDA 35’, 56’; Leonel DURATE 40’, 52’, 72’; Yasmiel LA ROSA 82’
Booked: CUB – Yenier Ferrer 16’, Juan Martinez 56’, Livan Del Rio 64’
Sent offs: BER – Antwon Russell 35’
R: Courtney CAMPBELL (JAM)

11.09.2007: CAYMAN ISLANDS – BERMUDA (17:00)
CUBA – PUERTO RICO (19:00)

13.09.2007: BERMUDA – PUERTO RICO (17:00)
CUBA – CAYMAN ISLANDS (19:00)

Group D – Basseterre, ST. KITTS & NEVIS; Warner Park
09.09.2007: ST. KITTS & NEVIS – DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 1:1 (1:0) (A: 1600)
Orlando MITCHUM 25’ – Leandro GARCIA 58’
SKN: Calvert Bennet – Tiran Hanley (45: Joel Jeffers), Gerard Williams, Javin Matthew, Mathew Berkeley, Atiba Harris, Irandy Byron, Kervin Benjamin (70: Imran Ponteen), Rovan Wigley, Jason Isaac (90: Valmon Jeffers), Orlando Mitchum. Booked: Byron 75’
TD: Lenny TAYLOR
DOM: Wellington Abramonte – Jerson Garcia, Orlando Belen Nuñez (79: Yan Carlos Berroa), Kervin Severino, Edward Acevedo (88: Jose Raphael Diaz), Leandro Garcia, Rafael Diaz, Manuel Reinoso, Darly Noemi Batista (82: Ruddy Encarnacion), Jonathan Faña. Booked: none
TD: Lubomir CRNOKRAK
R: Bryan WILLETTE (ATG)

11.09.2007: HAITI – DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (19:00)
13.09.2007: ST. KITTS & NEVIS – HAITI (19:00)

Group E – Kingstown, ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES; Victoria Park
09.09.2007: ST. LUCIA – GRENADA 3:3 (1:2)
Kervin AUGUSTIN 23’; Nyhime GILBERT 58’; Troy PROSPERE 71’ – Marcus JULIEN 25’; Nickson BAPTISTE 31’; Shane RENNIE 50’
LCA: Randy Poleon – Ricardo Paul, Nyhime Gilbert, Vernus Abbott, Troy Prospere, Shervan Jack, Kervin Augustin (26: Clemarcus Nanton), Hiram Hunte (46: Sabbatus Hunte), Fabian Joseph, Everton Lambert, Zacchaeus Polius (39: Justin St. Clair). Booked: Lambert 90’
TD: Denis LUKENS
GRN: Denrdy Richardson – Marc Marshall, Curlon Walcott, Nickson Baptiste (71: Quintana Ogilvie), Kwasi Paul, Stephen Peters, Shanon Phillip, Marcus Julien (56: Henson Cuffie), Wendell Rennie, Kemille Briston (61: Kareem Joseph), Shane Rennie. Booked: Briston 35’, Marshall 57’, S. Rennie 70’
TD: Christopher FERLONGE
R: Barney CALLENDER (BRB)

ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES – DOMINICA 4:1 (1:0)
George NURREL 12’; Sam THADEUS 51’, 58’, 64’ – Jonathan ABEL 55’
VIN: McDougall Windslow – Stewart Cornelius, George Emerald (65: Richard Hayde), Abraham Kevin (80: Gordon Theon), Sam Thadeus, Morgan Chester, Ashton Glenford (57: Prescott Million), J. Keith, Springer Jagneel, George Nurrel, Francis Damal. Booked: Emerald 19’, Cornelius 86’
TD: Zoran VRANES
DMA: Glenson Prince – Mathew Walsh, Ryan Joseph (63: Shomari Lambert), Jenner Williams (34: Charvis Delsol), Macaza White, Shern Dailey, Jonathan Abel, Dyann Lewis (59: Dononan Jervier), Rick Frampton, Janier Gregdere, Julian Wade. Booked: Delsol 62’
TD: Kirt HECTOR
R: Royon SMALL (BRB)

11.09.2007: GRENADA – DOMINICA (17:00)
ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES – ST. LUCIA (19:00)

13.09.2007: DOMINICA – ST. LUCIA (17:00)
ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES – GRENADA (19:00)

Z_Ho

Antigua, Cuba, Grenada & Jamaica earn wins at Caribbean qualifiers



12.9.07 - Antigua & Barbuda, Cuba, Grenada and Jamaica earned wins in their Caribbean First Round Qualification Groups to the 2008 CONCACAF Under-23 Tournament on Tuesday.

Group B: Ricardo Cousins’ tally gave Jamaica (2-0-0, 6 Points) a 1:0 victory over Barbados (1-1-0, 3 Points) at the Complejo Deportivo Guillermo Trinidad in Oranjestad, Aruba. Meanwhile, goals from Charles Browne and Oral Roberts led Antigua & Barbuda (1-1-0, 3 Points) to a 2:0 triumph against Aruba (0-2-0, 0 Puntos).

Group C: Two goals by Roberto Linares Yalmacida and one each from Yenier Bermudez, Leonel Duarte, Yasnier La Rosa, Alianni Urgelles, Liván Vasconcelos and Enrique Villaurrutia helped the hosts, Cuba (2-0-0, 6 Points) to an 8:0 win against Puerto Rico (1-1-0, 3 Points) at the Estadio Pedro Marrero in La Habana. In the other group encounter, Bermuda (0-1-1, 1 Point) played the Cayman Islands (0-1-1, 1 Point) to a scoreless draw.

Group D: The Dominican Republic (0-0-2, 2 Points) earned their second consecutive draw as they were held to a 0:0 by Haiti (0-0-1, 1 Point) at the Warner Park in Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis.

Group E: Two goals from Henson Cuffie and another by Wendell Rennie paced Grenada (1-0-1, 4 Points) to a 3:0 triumph over Dominica (0-2-0, 0 Points) at Victoria Park in Kingstown, St. Vincent & The Grenadines. In the other group match, St. Vincent & The Grenadines (1-0-1, 4 Points) played to a scoreless draw against St. Lucia (0-0-2, 2 Points).

The first round of the Caribbean Qualification conclude on Thursday (13 September) with the four group winners joining the Bahamas and Trinidad & Tobago in the Caribbean Second Round that consists of two three-team groups scheduled to play in October 2007. The top finishers in each triangular group will progress to the 2008 CONCACAF U-23 Final Round Tournament.

Elsewhere, the Men’s U-23 Central American Preliminary Qualification will have two groups of three with Panama hosting El Salvador and Honduras from 7-11 November, while Guatemala welcomes Costa Rica and Nicaragua from 14-18 November.

The winners of each triangular will advance to the CONCACAF Men’s U-23 Tournament along with two Caribbean teams, Canada, Mexico and USA with venue and dates to be announced. The two second-place finishers from each Central American Triangular will meet in a home-and-away playoff series with the winner also progressing to the CONCACAF U-23 Final Round Tournament, where two teams will qualify to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

2008 CONCACAF MEN’S UNDER-23 TOURNAMENT
Caribbean Qualification – First Round
Group B – Oranjestad, ARUBA; Complejo Deportivo Guillermo Trinidad
11.09.2007: JAMAICA – BARBADOS 1:0 (1:0) (A: 250)
Ricardo COUSINS 7’
JAM: Duwayne Kerr – Keneil Moodie, Ajuran Brown, Troy Smith, Obrian Woodbine, Eric Vernon, Nicholay Finlayson, Ricardo Cousins-C, Keammar Daley (67: Bryan Bayliss), Steven Morrissey (66: Donovan Davis), Edward Campbell (49: Mario Harrison). Booked: Cousins 37’, Woodbine 71’
TD: Wendell DOWNSWELL
BRB: Omari Eastmond – Greg Belle-C, Daryl Ferguson, Carl Joseph (46: Quincy Atherley), Jamar Sargeant, Derrick Best (77: Tristan Parris), Malcolm Marshall, Ranaldo Marques, Jamar Watson, Brett Carrington, Miles Jones. Booked: none
TD: Thomas JORDAN
R: Jaggernath GOOLCHARAN (TRI)

ARUBA – ANTIGUA & BARBUDA 0:2 (0:1)
Oral ROBERTS 3’; Charles BROWNE 47’
ARU: Eric Abdul – Aldrick Connor-C, Jesus Paesch, Raymond Tromp, Edmond Eckmeyer, Ruben Escalona, Jean Luc Bergen, Jermeen Robert (77: Ulises Nuñez), David Abdul, Javier Schoop (31: Sylvester Schwengle), Igmard Gijsbertha (68: Derek Brison). Booked: Escalona 62’, Brison 87’, Sent offs: Escalona 82’
TD: MARCELO MUÑOZ
ATG: Javid Joseph – Lauson Limerick, Karanja Mack, Ocie Knight, Jamari Roberts, Ken Pennyfeather, Lawson Robinson, Oral Roberts (68: Tavin Crump), Sadeev Phillip, Jamie Thomas-C (87: Okeem Challenger), Randolph Burton (60: Charles Browne). Booked: Phillip 20’
TD: Derrick EDWARDS
R: Philip JORDAN (TRI)

13.09.2007: BARBADOS – ANTIGUA & BARBUDA (18:00)
ARUBA – JAMAICA (20:00)

Group C – La Habana, CUBA; Estadio Pedro Marrero
11.09.2007: CAYMAN ISLANDS – BERMUDA 0:0 (A: 100)
CAY: Jermaine Brown – Donald Solomon, Tex Whitelocke, Benjamin Cupid, Jairo Sanchez, Donovan Godet, Rene Carter-C, Metchie Williams (57: Jason Ebanks), Gabriel Godet, Dion Brandon (77: Theron Wood), Jared Yates (33: Kevin McField). Booked: D. Godet 29’, Brandon 78’
TD: Carl BROWN
BER: Frederick Hall – Seion Darrell, Marquel Waldron, Devrae Tankard, Shakir Smith (66: Anwar Telford), Shayne Hollis, Ryan Purnell, Marco Piper, McQuinn Burch (80: Taurean Manders), Robert Richardson, Nahki Wells (33: Damon Swan). Booked: Purnell 60’
TD: Kenny THOMPSON
R: Howard STENNETT (JAM)

CUBA – PUERTO RICO 8:0 (5:0)
Roberto Linares YALMACIDA 4’, 34’; Yenier BERMUDEZ 24’; Enrique VILLAURRUTIA 37’; Liván VASCONCELOS 45’; Alianni URGELLES 52’; Leonel DUARTE 78’; Yasnier LA ROSA 86’
R: Courtney CAMPBELL (JAM)

13.09.2007: BERMUDA – PUERTO RICO (17:00)
CUBA – CAYMAN ISLANDS (19:00)

Group D – Basseterre, ST. KITTS & NEVIS; Warner Park
11.09.2007: HAITI – DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 0:0 (A: 700)
HAI: Peterson Occenat – Marckendy Marc, Judelin Aveska, Olrish Saurel, Ednerson Raymond (46: Fritzson Jean Baptiste), James Marcelin, Alain Vubert-C (73: Serge Louis), Sony Norde, Jean Sony Alcenat, Reginald Veltentim, Bidrece Azor. Booked: none
TD: Etienne WILNER
DOM: Wellington Abramonte – Yan Carlos Berroa, Jerson Garcia, Orlando Belen Nuñez, Kervin Severino, Edward Acevedo (60: Jonathan Faña), Leandro Garcia (67: Manuel Reinoso), Darly Noemi Batista (79: Kerbi Rodriguez), Domingo Peralta, Johan Sanchez, Johan Cruz. Booked: Peralta 17’, Garcia 41’
TD: Lubomir CRNOKRAK
R: Trevor ROUSE (AIA)

13.09.2007: ST. KITTS & NEVIS – HAITI (19:00)

Group E – Kingstown, ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES; Victoria Park
11.09.2007: GRENADA – DOMINICA 3:0 (2:0) (A: 1100)
Henson CUFFIE 26’, 46’; Wendell RENNIE 45’
GRN: Denroy Richardson – Marc Marshall, Shanon Phillip, Stephen Peters, Kareem Joseph, Nickson Baptiste, Kwasi Paul, Shane Rennie, Henson Cuffie (83: Curlon Walcott), Wendell Rennie, Quintana Ogilvie (74: Ariel Jacob). Booked: none
TD: Christopher FERLONGE
DMA: Glenson Prince – Mathew Walsh, Ryan Joseph (82: Dyann Lewis), Macaza White (63: Ralieghson Pascal), Jonathan Abel, Hanif Gregoire, Julian Wade, Curlson Prince, Donnan Jervier (48: Shern Dailey), Charvis Delsol, Tariq Morvan. Booked: Gregoire 80’
TD: Kirt HECTOR
R: Barney CALLENDER (BRB)

ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES – ST. LUCIA 0:0 (A: 2500)
VIN: McDougall Windslow – Stewart Cornelius, George Emerald (66: Richard Hayde), Abraham Kevin (82: Bowens Seinard), Sam Thadeus, Morgan Chester, Ashton Glenford, James Keith (46: Prescott Million), Springer Jagneel, Francis Damal, George Nurrel. Booked: Cornelius 53’
TD: Zoran VRANES
LCA: Randy Poleon – Cleveland Emmanuel, Nyhime Gilbert, Vernus Abbott, Troy Prospere (82: Bernard Edwards), Shervan Jack, Justin St. Clair (54: Clemarcus Nanton), Sabbatus Hunte, Hiram Hunte (65: Kervin Augustin), Fabian Joseph, Everton Lambert. Booked: Joseph 86’
TD: Denis LUKENS
R: Mark FORDE (BRB)

13.09.2007: DOMINICA – ST. LUCIA (17:00)
ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES – GRENADA (19:00)

Z_Ho

Australia blank Lebanon 3-0
September 12 2007


GOSFORD: Australia stepped up their Olympic qualification campaign on Wednesday as goals by Nick Ward, Mark Bridge and substitute David Williams lifted them to a 3-0 win over Lebanon in the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Ward opened the scoring at the Central Coast Stadium after only five minutes, Bridge added a second after a well-worked move midway through the first half and Williams netted deep into stoppage time to give the Olyroos their second consecutive win in Group B.

The win sent Australia to the top of the group with seven points although Iraq could draw level with a victory against DPR Korea in Doha later on Wednesday.

The Lebanese remained in third place on three points after their second straight defeat following last Saturday's humiliating 5-0 home loss to the Iraqis.

The Australians had struggled to break down DPR Korea in their last outing, a 1-0 win at Newcastle, but Graham Arnold's side took the lead against the Lebanese with virtually their first attack in the fifth minute.

Nikolai Topor-Stanley took the ball down the left flank before lofting it towards an unmarked Ward on the edge of the six-yard box, who leapt up before firing a stunning right-footed volley that gave Lebanon goalkeeper Hassan Moghnieh no chance.

Spurred on by the early strike, the home side piled on the pressure and went close again a couple of minutes later when Bruce Djite headed narrowly wide from eight metres out.

Kristian Sarkies had a chip from 20 metres tipped over by a diving Mognieh and the Adelaide United midfielder went close again with a free kick that went just wide of the left upright.

Mognieh produced another good save to stop Djite's close range effort in the 19th minute before Lebanon produced their first shot on goal through Samer Zeineddine, whose low drive from the edge of the Australia box was easily handled by goalkeeper Daniel Vukovich.

Australia's second goal would finally arrive though in the 24th minute as Bridge burst into the Lebanese box after exchanging a quick one-two with Djite before clipping the ball past a sprawling Mognieh to make it 2-0.

The home side nearly got a third in the 35th minute when Djite floated in a pass from the right to Sarkies who met the ball with a fierce volley from 10 metres which was brilliantly saved by Mognieh.

The Australians took their foot off the gas in the second half and nearly allowed the Lebanese a foothold back into the match on 58 minutes when Imad Kassem Saad's shot from the edge of the box was stopped by Vukovich.

But it was the home side controlled much of the possession in a physical second half that produced few real chances with perhaps the best opportunity falling to substitute David Williams, who nearly took advantage of a mistake by a Lebanese defender as he fired a first-time shot just wide of Mognieh's right post in the 82nd minute.

But Williams would get on the score sheet in the third minute of stoppage time as he ran onto a flick by Nick Ward into the Lebanese box, outpacing defender Ahmad Atwi before sliding the ball past Mognieh to wrap up an emphatic win for the Australians.

澳大利亞3蛋贈黎巴嫩
2007年9月12日


（中部海岸）澳大利亞週三在2008年北京奧運亞洲區預選賽B組打出真火，主場以3比0輕取黎巴嫩。

尼克沃德在第5分鐘為澳大利亞先拔頭籌，布里奇在第24分鐘擴大比分優勢。替補威廉姆斯在傷停補時階段鎖定勝局，為隊拿下兩連勝。

澳大利亞在伊拉克上陣對朝鮮前，3戰積7分在此組居首。

上輪吞伊拉克5蛋的黎巴嫩保持3分，但已經嚐下兩連敗和連吃8蛋。

Z_Ho

Al Banki stars as Bahrain beat Uzbekistan
September 12 2007


TASHKENT: A stoppage time goal from Hamad Al Banki gave Bahrain a 2-1 win over Uzbekistan in Group B of the AFC Final Round for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the Army Stadium on Wednesday.

Bahrain opened the scoring in the first half through Abdulla Omar before Uzbekistan levelled four minutes from time thanks to Sadriddin Abdullaev.

But, just as the game looked destined to end in a draw, Al Banki emerged as the hero for Bahrain when he claimed the winner two minutes into injury time.

The victory revives Bahrain chances of qualifying for next year's Olympic Games as they are now three points behind group leaders Korea Republic, while the defeat seriously dented Uzbekistan's chances of winning the group.

Uzbekistan went into the game without Vagiz Galiulin and Farhod Tadjiyev, who both missed out through suspension, while Bahrain arrived to Tashkent without Nigerian-born players Abdullah Fatadi and Jaycee Okwunwanne.

The visitors, who increased the pressure after the first 20 minutes, opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a powerful strike from Omar, who collected a loose ball and fired low into the corner of the net.

The goal brought Uzbekistan to life as they held a siege on Sayed Abbas' goal and, despite forcing several corners in the last minutes of the first half, they were unable to make the pressure count.

Bahrain started the second half brightly and presented a significant threat on the counterattack while at the other end Uzbekistan continued their struggle to unlock the visitors' defence.

With 17 minutes to go, Bahrain should have made it 2-0 when Faouzi Aaish fired off a long range free kick but Aziz Ashurov punched the ball wide for a corner to keep his side in the game.

Uzbekistan increased the pressure in the dying minutes and it eventually paid off in the 86th minute when Abdullaev received a pass from Lutfulla Turaev on the edge of the area before beating Faouzi Aaish and Jasim Al Malood to score past Abbas with a right-footed strike.

The hosts went close to taking the lead in the dying minutes when Abdullaev fired a shot from outside the area only for the ball to come back off the woodwork in the 87th minute while Kamoliddin Murzoyev's header was disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper in the first minute of stoppage time.

The two misses proved costly for Uzbekistan as Bahrain launched a quick counter attack through Al Banki, who played a one-two inside the area with substitute Ali Yaqoot before slotting the ball into the left side of the goal to give his side a valuable win.

巴林客場拿下烏茲別克
2007年9月12日


（塔什干）阿爾邦吉在傷停補時階段成為英雄，助巴林在2008年北京奧運亞洲區預選賽B組賽喧賓奪主，以2比1擊敗烏茲別克。

巴林目前以3分之差落後領頭羊韓國，而烏茲別克的出線機會已經懸於一線。

客隊在第28分鐘首開紀錄，奧瑪在亂軍中撿漏，低射破網。

烏茲別克戰至第86分鐘才扳平。阿都拉耶夫在禁區邊緣接獲圖拉耶夫妙傳後，連拐艾斯和阿爾馬盧德，右腳勁射洞穿巴林門將阿巴斯十指山。

烏茲別克過後連失兩次破門良機，先是阿都拉耶夫禁區外射門中柱，穆爾索耶夫頭槌破門犯規在先，被判無效。

大難不死的巴林，在鳴笛前發動閃電反攻，阿爾邦吉和替補雅庫特進行一次撞牆式配合後，冷靜攻進致勝球。

Z_Ho

10-man Japan edge past Qatar 1-0
September 12 2007


TOKYO: Japan recorded a slender 1-0 win over Qatar despite playing out the last quarter of the game with 10 men as Yasuharu Sorimachi's team took another step towards qualifying for next year's Olympic Games in Beijing.

Yohei Kajiyama gave the Japanese the lead with a header after just six minutes but Takuya Honda's 68th-minute sending off saw the home side come under increasing pressure as time ticked away.

A desperate save by Kaito Yamamoto from Waleed Abdullah 11 minutes from time earned Japan the win, who now move onto seven points from their opening three games to top Group C.

While both teams had 11 men on the field the Japanese had few problems dealing with Qatar and by the time of Honda's sending off for a second yellow card, their advantage should have been greater.

Right-sided midfielder Koki Mizuno impressed for the Japanese and it was he who set up the only goal of the game.

With just six minutes on the clock, the JEF United Chiba man sent in a free kick that Kajiyama met first to power home after Qatar goalkeeper Rajad Kassim was too slow off his line.

Mizuno had gone close to opening the scoring with less than a minute on the clock, only for his effort from the edge of the penalty area to fizz across the face of goal.

With a quarter of an hour gone, it was Mizuno who almost doubled Japan's lead but his free kick went just wide.

Qatar offered little in the opening exchanges and Yamamoto was only called upon in the 30th minute to collect Abdullah's free kick.

Four minutes later, though, Japan should have had a second. Gamba Osaka midfielder Akihiko Ienaga clipped his cross to the far post and Yasuhito Morishima's header would have gone in but for Kassim's save with his trailing leg.

The first half of the second period followed a similar pattern with Mizuno again narrowly missing with a free kick two minutes after the restart while, just before the hour mark, his second attempt of the half was deflected over the bar by Talal Mohammed.

Substitute Toshihiro Aoyama saw his shot in the 66th minute go just over the bar, but two minutes later the Qataris were given the lifeline they needed when Honda received his second yellow card for breaking early from the wall at a free kick.

The visitors poured forward and, but for the heroics of Yamamoto in the 79th minute they would have been level, but the Shimizu S-Pulse custodian made a reflex save with his legs to deny Abdullah.

Qatar continued to push for the equaliser but Sorimachi's team managed to hold on to record their second win in three games.

Japan coach Yasuharu Sorimachi hailed the spirit of his players. “Usually before matches, I talk to the players about tactics and the mental approach to games," he said. "But today, I talked mostly about spirit because that is what was needed of us more than anything today.

"I was expecting this game to be difficult, and that's exactly what it was. I feel like I lost a few years off my lifespan. We focused until the end, and the keeper had a good game.

"I'm happy about winning three points. We communicated well when it mattered, and I'm extremely pleased we didn't stop moving our feet until the final whistle."

"I think we still have a chance to qualify," said Qatar coach Hassan Hurmatullah. "Japan only won this game by one.

"I'm proud of the players, the way they controlled the game. I'm not happy with the result; we could have drawn or won."

10人日本力退卡塔爾
2007年9月12日


（東京）儘管在最後22分鐘打剩10人，日本仍有力在2008年北京奧運亞洲區預選賽C組重頭戲，居主以1比0打敗亞運會金牌得主卡塔爾，向晉級邁進一步。

由反町康治執教的日本，僅用了第6分鐘就打破僵局。梶山陽平躍高頂進水野晃樹開出的任意球，一槌定音。

本田拓也在第68分鐘領紅牌罰下，一度使日本陷入困境，但在門將山本海人表現如同神助、包括在完場前11分鐘托出瓦里德阿都拉的射門下，日本得以保著勝果。

日本經3輪比賽積7分重奪龍椅，保持4分的卡塔爾居次。