South Korea, Jordan and Iraq claimed opening victories at the AFC Asian Cup on Monday, crushing Bahrain 3-1, Malaysia 4-0 and Indonesia 3-1, respectively.
Jordan lead Group E ahead of South Korea, while Iraq and Indonesia sit 2nd and 4th, respectively, in Group D.
South Korean players celebrate during their AFC Asian Cup clash against Bahrain in Doha, Qatar, January 15, 2024. /CFP
Hwang In-beom broke the deadlock for South Korea in the 38th minute, but Bahrain fought back to equalize in the 51st minute when Abdullah Al Hashash scored from close range. Paris St Germain's playmaker Lee Kang-in then turned on the style with two lethal strikes in the 56th and 68th minutes that had South Korean fans at the small 15,000 capacity arena screaming in delight.
"It's not just about my two goals. All the goals we score are very important for the team. I would just like to say and highlight that it is not about individual performance," Lee said.
Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min had a late opportunity to score when he was released in the box but his shot went wide. He was later booked for simulation when he attempted to win a penalty. "It was a tough game, as we expected. Bahrain obviously prepared really well and it was tough to break (them down), especially when we went up 1-0," Son said.
Jordanian players celebrate during their AFC Asian Cup clash against Malaysia in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha, Qatar, January 15, 2024. /CFP
Later on Monday, Jordan's Mahmoud Al-Mardi gave his side the lead with a shot from outside the box that floated over the Malaysian keeper and into the top corner at the far post. Musa Al-Taamari doubled their lead from the spot after a penalty was awarded for a foul on Yazan Al-Naimat following a video assistant referee (VAR) review, while Al-Mardi made it 3-0 when he scored his second from a tap-in after being set up by Yazan Al-Naimat. Al-Taamari grabbed his second when he lobbed the keeper in the 85th minute to complete the rout.
Like Malaysia, Indonesia were also making their return to the Asian Cup for the first time since 2007 and though the Southeast Asian side were able to hold their own against Iraq for 45 minutes, they ran out of gas in the second half.
Iraqi players celebrate during their AFC Asian Cup clash against Indonesia in Al Rayyan, Qatar, January 15, 2024. /CFP
Iraq's Mohanad Ali scored first when he was through on goal with just the keeper to beat but Marselino Ferdinan equalized after some fine work form Yakob Sayuri, who skipped a challenge and crossed the ball into the six-yard box for an easy goal.
However, Iraq burst Indonesia's bubble late in added time just before the interval when Osama Rashid scored from close range after the keeper spilled a save. Substitute Aymen Hussein then won a header in the 75th minute and volleyed home from the edge of the six-yard box to make it 3-1.
(With input from Xinhua, Reuters)