DOHA (AFP) – South Korea launched their campaign for a first Asian Cup since 1960 with a 3-1 win over Bahrain while fellow former champions Iraq beat Indonesia by the same scoreline on Monday.
In the last game yesterday, Jordan thrashed Malaysia 4-0 with Mahmoud Al-Mardi and Mousa Al-Tamari both scoring twice.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in upstaged Son Heung-min with two goals for Jurgen Klinsmann’s South Korea, who are among the favourites for the title in Qatar.
Japan, Australia, Iran and Saudi Arabia have all been touted as serious contenders, along with hosts and reigning champions Qatar.
In a Group D that includes hotly tipped Japan, Iraq were made to work by Indonesia before also running out 3-1 winners.
Iraq, the 2007 Asian champions, pummelled Indonesia 5-1 in Basra during World Cup qualifying in November and defeated coach Shin Tae-yong pledged before this game that his team would come back better.
His young Indonesia side, with eight of their starters born this century, gave a much better account of themselves in front of a raucous crowd of 16,532.
