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Bora debuts China, Vietnam notch 19 goals in Asian Cup qualifiers
Posted: Sunday January 23, 2000 11:44 AM
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietna (AP) -- Su Maozhen gave Bora Milutinovic a successful debut as coach of China on Sunday, scoring five goals in a 8-0 romp over the Philippines in the opening match of Group 9 qualifying for the Asian Cup. Vu Cong Tuyen also scored five times, leading Vietnam to a 11-0 rout of Guam in the day's other game. Su scored all five of his goals in the first half -- four on headers -- as China took a 7-0 halftime lead. The crowd, arriving early for the second match between Vietnam and Guam, cheered each time the Philippines crossed midfield and moaned when its only good scoring opportunity sailed over the crossbar. Su had goals in the fourth, 13th, 20th, 35th and 45th minutes as China took pounded beleaguered Philippine goalkeeper Edmundo Mercado. Hao Haidong and Yao Xia also scored for China, with Yao's goal coming on a move in the right of the box that left one cross-footed defender on the ground and a shot that split two others. Li Tie had the lone second-half score. Vietnam, which would consider a draw against China in the final match next Saturday as an accomplishment, then took early goal differential by pounding Guam 11-0. Tuyen scored four times as Vietnam matched China's first-half outburst with seven goals. Playing in almost steady rain in the second half, Vietnam added another four goals, including one when Guam goalkeeper Kevin Blundell grabbed Van Sy's corner kick in midair, came down and stumbled over the goal. Tuyen then closed out the scoring in the 88th minute. China will play Guam, and Vietnam will take on the Philippines on Tuesday. Only the group winner will qualify for the Asian Cup finals in Lebanon later this year. Iraq, Uzbekistan and Indonesia already have qualified along wit host Lebanon and defending champion Saudi Arabia.
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