2010 Asian Games

Defending champion fails to shine, Man U legend wins

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-11-08 10:23

GUANGZHOU - The Guangzhou Asian Games kicked off its first competition calendar on Sunday when the defending champion Qatar failed to seize the opening win while Thailand coached by Manchester United legend Bryan Robson highlighted the football tournament with an overwhelming 6-0 victory.

The Doha Asiad champion enjoyed most period of dominance, but still found no way to beat the spirited Singaporean defenders and keeper. Both sides reaped one point in Group D. While the team of Athletes from Kuwait beat India 2-0 to top the group temporarily.

Group F produced an interesting clash in the night, with Thailand, coached by Robson and led by former Tottenham Hotspur defender Graham Roberts, was too much for Pakistan.

Roberts laughed to the end with a convincing six-goal advantage, which put the Thailand to lead the group. Oman outscored Maldives 3-0 in the other opposition.

In Group E, Uzbekistan dominated the lop-sided game, breezing to an 3-0 victory on the low-profile Bangladesh. United Arab Emirates tied Hong Kong, China 1-1.

Elsewhere, an eye-catching derby in the first round will see hosts China face arch rivals Japan in Group A on Monday.

On the same day, South Korean Park Chu-Young, who played at the World Cup finals in South Africa, will be hoping to help his team to victory against neighbours DPR Korea in Group C.

The men's football of Asiad is limited to players aged 23 or under. Each team can only allow three wild cards who are exempt from the age restriction. The top two of the six groups and other four best third-placed teams will advance to the last 16.

The 19-day tournament is the longest in contrast to the other events of the 16th Asian Games, which is to  officially open on November 12.