AFC takes action against Kuwait, Saudi

AFC takes action against Kuwait, Saudi
OHA — The Asian Football Confederation fined Kuwait $1,000 for allowing an unauthorized photographer from its football federation into the team's dressing room at an Asian Cup match.

The AFC also referred a complaint against Saudi Arabia to its disciplinary committee, following the team's failure to send a player to a Jan. 12 news conference.

The complaint against Saudi Arabia comes in the wake of the AFC fining Qatar $2,000 for refusing to send a player to a Jan. 6 news conference. Complaints have also been filed against Iraq and North Korea on the same issue but so far no action has been taken.

Iran fighting flu ahead of North Korean clash
DOHA - Iran have been hit by a flu outbreak at the Asian Cup ahead of their Group D clash with North Korea, with coach Afshin Ghotbi and captain Javad Nekonam among those affected.

"We have a few issues with some players in our squad with a minor flu," Ghotbi told reporters on Friday before they face the Koreans at the Qatar Sports Club on Saturday.

"It started really with the beginning of our training camp with our captain, then I had the flu for several days and it has gone through two, three, up to four players at a time."

Victory for Iran in the match (1315 GMT) would book a place in the quarter-finals of the 16-team premier Asian tournament but they face the tricky task of breaking down a defensive-minded North Korean side.

The Koreans have not conceded a goal in their last three outings and have reverted back to a 'defensive first, attack second' strategy after being humbled 7-0 by Portugal in the World Cup finals in South Africa last June.

"I hope North Korea plays like they did against Portugal in the World Cup when they were open and attacked," Ghotbi said.

"But I think they will play very closed and attempt to counter attack which is why it is important we score early to bring them out of their shell."

MENTAL TOUGHNESS

Three-times champions Iran will start as favourites for Saturday's match following their comeback victory over holders Iraq in their opening game but Ghotbi said there was little time to bask in the adulation of victory over their rivals.

"To be champions of a tournament you have to play six matches in 18 days and it takes a lot of mental toughness, discipline and quality to be able to recover."

"We tried to enjoy the victory (over Iraq) in the first 24 hours and immediately we started focusing on the next match.

"I think our players are up for the challenge of playing North Korea and realise by gaining the three points they can reach the first target of getting out of the group."

The Koreans were fortunate to claim a 0-0 draw with the United Arab Emirates in their opening match and will need a big improvement if they are to beat Team Melli for the first time at their 17th attempt.

"We played one match against UAE and our analysis was we didn't play well in the first match, 0-0 was not our expectation and we will try to do better for the next two matches," North Korean coach Jo Tong-sop said.

"The UAE team played with good individual skill and we tried to put more emphasis on the defense."

Iraq will play the United Arab Emirates at the Al Rayyan Stadium also in Group D on Saturday (1615 GMT).


Saudi Arabia make shock Asian Cup exit
By AP
DOHA - Three-time champion Saudi Arabia made a humiliating exit from the Asian Cup on Thursday after losing 1-0 to Jordan in its second Group B match.

The Saudis fired coach Jose Peseiro following the opening loss to Syria, but bringing in Nasser al-Johar for his fifth stint in charge failed to turn things around.

Despite dominating the first half, Saudi Arabia went behind in the 42nd minute when goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah somehow allowed Baha' Abdelrahman's deep cross from the left to float over his head and into the corner of the net.

Substitute Nassir Alshamrani had a good chance to equalize for the Saudis in the 76th when he was clean through, but Jordan goalkeeper Amer Shafi was out quickly to smother the shot. Osama al-Harbi then headed narrowly over in injury time.

Al-Johar took over the Saudi side in similar circumstances in 2000 and managed to lead the team to the final, but this time his short reign seems likely to be over after the last group game against Japan — a repeat of that 2000 final.

The coach insisted Saudi Arabia "didn't fail" and that Jordan's "lucky" goal was typical of his side's fortune.

"In general the team was very good," Al-Johar insisted. "I think you saw throughout the match we played very well and we had several opportunities to score but we were not lucky.

"This is football, and maybe we'll do better in the future. We will try to play a good final game against Japan. We still have confidence in our team."

Jordan's win, which follows an opening draw with Japan, leaves it with a good chance to match its quarterfinal run on its debut in 2004. Depending on the result between Japan and Syria later on Thursday, Adnan Hamad's team could qualify even before it plays its final group match against Syria.

"We played a very difficult team," Adnan said. "But I would like to thank my team for their outstanding performance and I would say we have so much more to do. Our expectations are getting bigger and we are aiming (to win) the tournament."

Questioned about his defensive tactics, Adnan said his team had played in a "realistic way."

"I respect Al-Johan and the Saudi Arabia team, they're a big team and to beat them is a big accomplishment for the Jordan team," he said. "We played with discipline, but they created a lot of chances, and I think luck has to do with it too."

Al-Johar made four changes to the team against Jordan and reverted to a 4-4-2 formation, and his side made a strong start, cheered on by some enthusiastic fans inside the Al-Rayyan Stadium.

Al-Harbi headed straight at the goalkeeper from close range following a corner in the first minute, and Naif Hazazi — one of the players brought in by Al-Johar — was denied by a leaping save by Shafi in the 16th.

In an eventful half for the tall and powerful striker, Naif shot inches over from just inside the box and just failed to connect with an inswinging cross as the opposition focused almost exclusively on defense.

The breakthrough would not come though, and the Saudis were hit by a sucker punch just before half time when Abdelrahman's floating cross caught Waleed off his line, although the goalkeeper at least ensured his side went in at the break with only a one-goal deficit when he saved at the feet of Jordan's dangerous forward Odai Al Safy.

Al-Johar sent his players out for the second half in determined mood, and they again enjoyed plenty of possession. Taiseer al-Jassam shot over from long range, while Naif headed wide, before Nassir beat one defender, played a neat one-two, but then could not beat the alert Shafi.

The Saudis pumped the ball forward time and again as time ticked down, but despite missing injured captain Hatem Aqel from its defense, Jordan held out to record a famous win over a team ranked fifth in the Asian Confederation.