AFC Asian Cup 2019: Iran thrash debutants Yemen to stamp title credentials; South Korea, China get narrow wins

Abu Dhabi: Mehdi Taremi scored twice as Iran battered Yemen 5-0 in the war-torn country’s Asian Cup debut on Monday to fire an ominous warning to their title rivals. Team Melli’s dominant performance in Abu Dhabi was in stark contrast to joint-favourites South Korea, who scraped past the Philippines while China needed a goalkeeping howler to spark a comeback against plucky Kyrgyzstan. [caption id=“attachment_5854231” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Iran players celebrate Saman Ghoddos’ goal against Yemen. AFP/Khaled Desouki[/caption] Looking to end a 43-year title drought since last winning Asian football’s most coveted prize, Iran ruthlessly dispatched Group D minnows Yemen. Iran coach Carlos Queiroz revealed that holders Australia’s shock 1-0 loss to Jordan at the weekend and South Korea’s narrow 1-0 win over the Philippines had reminded his players the Asian Cup was no cakewalk — nor for that matter a savoury dessert. “To be honest those results made the players understand the Asian Cup is not a cheesecake,” said the former Real Madrid boss. “I have been telling the players that we need to focus on the first game and they took advantage of those lessons.” Iran took just 12 minutes to take the lead as Taremi finished clinically from close range before captain Ashkan Dejagah doubled his side’s lead in the 23rd minute with a free kick which cannoned in off the post and the hapless Alsowadi. Taremi powered home a bullet header moments later. Sardar Azmoun tapped in a fourth goal seven minutes into the second half, by which time Iran were playing some champagne football as Yemen’s players chased shadows. When substitute Saman Ghoddos volleyed home Iran’s fifth after 78 minutes the Yemen players looked physically shattered and only the woodwork prevented Mahdi Torabi adding a spectacular sixth in injury time. South Korea, still awaiting the arrival of Tottenham forward Son Heung-min, left it late before snatching a 1-0 win over the Philippines, Hwang Ui-jo proving the difference in Dubai. Fellow Asian Cup first-timers Kyrgyzstan led China 1-0 at half-time but a calamitous own goal by goalkeeper Pavel Matiash put the Chinese on course for a 2-1 win. Clanger of the tournament Kyrgyzstan looked capable of pulling off a seismic upset against China when Akhlidin Israilov smashed home the opening goal just before half-time in Al Ain. But China profited from the clanger of the tournament so far when Matiash, attempting to claw a defensive header over the bar, batted it over the line instead. A Chinese winner looked inevitable from there on and striker Yu Dabao who completed the turnaround with a sharp finish 12 minutes from time. China boss Marcello Lippi, who is expected to step down after the Asian Cup, was hopping mad about his side’s dismal first-half showing. “I thought if we keep playing like that we’re going to lose the match,” fumed the Italian, who steered his country to 2006 World Cup victory. “After the reaction from my players in the second half, I’m happy that we won the three points.” The Koreans, looking to end 59 years of hurt after failing to win the title since 1960, soaked up considerable pressure in their opening Group C fixture before Hwang broke the deadlock after 67 minutes. The Japan-based striker swivelled and belted home from close range to settle Korean nerves after Newcastle midfielder Ki Sung-yueng had limped off with a suspected hamstring injury. South Korea, who will be boosted by the arrival of the mercurial Son after their second game, joined China on three points at the top of the group. The Koreans, runners-up to hosts Australia four years ago, were indebted to goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu, who plunged to his right to brilliantly deny Javier Patino in the 54th minute. But Hwang, whose tournament-high nine goals helped South Korea win last year’s Asian Games title, came to the rescue with a piece of magic in the box and was unlucky not to add further goals as the Taeguk Warriors finished strongly.