|
|
 |
S. Korea, Japan win in Dynasty Cup |
 |
YOKOHAMA, Japan, March 4, 98 (AP)
South Korea edged China 2-1, and host Japan defeated Hong Kong 5-1 Wednesday in the second round of the four-nation Dynasty Cup soccer tournament.
In the final matches Saturday, Japan (2-0) meets China (1-1), and South Korea (1-1) takes on Hong Kong (0-2)
In Wednesday's first match at International Stadium Yokohama, China scored first in the 16th minute when Li Bing headed home a cross from Li Ming.
Choi Sung-yong leveled in the 39th minute as he raced down the left side, dribbling past two defenders, and tapped the ball into the net past goalie Ou Chuliang.
Lee Sang-yoon booted in the winning goal during a goalmouth melee three minutes later.
Earlier in the day, South Korea indicated that
it may overhaul its national soccer team
before this summer's World Cup finals in
France.
Critics in Seoul say the South Koreans have
shown poor performance and teamwork in
their two Dynasty Cup matches so far. In the
first round Sunday, South Korea lost 2-1 to
archrival Japan.
"I am looking for players who have more
experience and goal-getting abilities," the
Daily Sports of Seoul quoted the South
Korean team coach, Cha Bom-kun, as saying
in Yokohama.
For Japan, Hidetoshi Nakata scored in the 22nd and again in the 36th minute, followed by Tadatoshi Masuda in the 40th, Hiroshi Namami in the 71st and Wagner Lopes in the 85th minute.
The sole Hong Kong goal was scored by Dale Tempest in the 34th.
Japan is seeking its third straight Dynasty Cup title after winning in 1992 and again in 1995. South Korea was the champion in the inaugural tournament in 1990.
|