Uzbekistan knocked Group C favorites China out of the Asian Cup with a stunning 3-0 upset victory at the Shah Alam Stadium yesterday, China's first Asian Cup group-stage exit in 27 years
Dynamo Kiev striker Maksim Shatskikh, Pakhtakor midfielder Timur Kapadze and veteran Alexander Geynrikh scored late in the second half to break the hearts of the 2004 runners-up.
Iran finished top of the group on seven points after their 2-0 win over co-hosts Malaysia last night, with Uzbekistan second on six points. China finished with four points and Malaysia lost all three matches.
China needed only a draw to reach the quarter-finals after a 5-1 victory over Malaysia and a 2-2 draw with Iran. Uzbekistan, who thrashed Malaysia 5-0 after losing 2-1 to Iran, needed to win to reach the last eight.
China, giving a first start to Manchester United forward Dong Fangzhuo, edged a tepid first half played in damp conditions in a cavernous -- and nearly empty -- stadium.
Uzbekistan brought on Geynrikh at half-time followed by Victor Karpenko and the double switch made the difference as Shatskikh shaved the upright with a sizzling shot on 64 minutes.
Djeparov saw a shot saved before Karpenko hoisted a 40m free-kick on to Shatskikh's head, forcing a diving save from Yang before the forward finished with aplomb.
Geynrikh then collected the rebound from his own free-kick and lashed the ball past Yang to complete China's humiliation.
IRAN DEFEAT MALAYSIA
Malaysia coach Norizan Bakar, whose team was out of contention after two straight losses, fielded five defenders from the outset, hoping to avoid another massive defeat after conceding 10 goals in its previous matches against China and Uzbekistan.
Playing on a soggy pitch after hours of heavy rain earlier in the day, Iran pressed on the attack from the start.
But its best opportunity came through a penalty awarded in the 29th minute after Malaysian defender Khaironnisam Hussain felled Ali Karimi.
Midfielder Javad Nekounam shot inside the left post to easily beat Malaysian custodian Azizon Kadir.
Iranian midfielder Andranik Teymourian weaved past his markers to score in the 77th minute.
Taiwan kept its hopes of advancing to the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) alive with a 9-1 victory over South Africa in a qualifier at the Taipei Dome last night, backed by solid pitching. Bouncing back from Friday’s struggles on the mound, when Taiwanese pitchers surrendered 15 runs to Spain, Team Taiwan kept the visiting team in check, allowing just one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. The win was crucial for Taiwan, as a loss would have eliminated the team from contention for the next WBC. Starting pitcher Sha Tzu-chen (沙子宸) struck out one and allowed no hits, except for
The Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) is considering reducing its pitch clock by two seconds to help players better adjust to the rules applied at the World Baseball Classic (WBC). The proposal aims to shorten the pitch timer from 25 seconds to 23 seconds with the bases empty, and from 20 seconds to 18 seconds with runners on base. Currently, the WBC mandates that pitchers deliver a pitch every 18 seconds with the bases empty and 15 seconds with runners on base. The issue was raised during a pre-season CPBL managers’ meeting on Tuesday by Rakuten Monkeys bench and batting
Taiwan kept their hopes of advancing to next year’s World Baseball Classic (WBC) alive with a 9-1 victory over South Africa in a qualifier at the Taipei Dome on Saturday, backed by solid pitching. Taiwan last night played against Nicaragua. As of press time, Nicaragua was leading 6-0. Bouncing back from Friday’s struggles on the mound, when Taiwanese pitchers surrendered 15 runs to Spain, Team Taiwan on Saturday kept the visiting team in check, allowing just one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Starting pitcher Sha Tzu-chen struck out one and allowed no hits, except for a hit-by-pitch over
‘SETTING THE TONE’: Donovan Mitchell said that their determination to dominate had nothing to do with past results, but was about a potential post-season clash The Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday boosted their NBA-best record with a 142-105 romp past the New York Knicks, tightening their grip on the Eastern Conference lead with an all-around dominant display. Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points to lead six Cavs players to score in double figures, connecting on five of seven three-pointers as Cleveland drilled 19 from beyond the arc. “I think the biggest thing was just try to set the tone early,” Mitchell said, adding that the determination to dominate had nothing to do with the Knicks’ first-round playoff win over the Cavs two seasons ago and everything to do with
RSS