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100 percent Saudi Arabia stays perfect; Bangladesh tops Mongolia
Updated: Monday February 12, 2001 4:39 PM
DAMMAM, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) -- A hat trick by Sami Al Jaber steered Saudi Arabia to a 5-0 win over Vietnam in Group 10 of Asia's World Cup qualifying tournament on Monday. In the day's other qualifier, Bangladesh earned the first win of its Asian World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-0 victory against Mongolia. The Saudis virtually booked their place in the continent's second phase with a victory that leaves them five points clear at the top of the group at the halfway stage with a 100 per cent record. Talal Al Meshal opened the scoring in the 18th minute and Al Jaber added a second 12 minutes later from the penalty spot. Five minutes after the restart, Al Jaber grabbed his second but the hosts had to wait until the dying minutes before they completed the scoring. Al Meshal claimed his second one minute from time before Al Jaber completed his hat trick in injury time. Despite the defeat and the five-point gap between his team and the Saudis, Vietnam coach Edson Dido Silva refused to write off his team's chances of finishing top of the group. "I came here to qualify," said the Brazilian. "We have three games left and now I have more information about the other teams and I'm sure we can finish first in the group." For Bangladesh, Mohd Alfaz Ahmad struck twice -- once in each half -- while Mohd Rokonuzzanin added the third five minutes from time. It was the South Asians' first win after a draw against Vietnam and a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Ahmad had put Bangladesh ahead on 41 minutes and then doubled his side's lead on the hour mark. "We performed well today and we should have won by six goals," said Bangladesh coach Jorge Kottau. "But winning by three goals is good and it gives us a good push for the second round of matches."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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