Asia Cup 2007: 01/24/07

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Saudi Arabia held by 10-man Qatar

ABU DHABI - Three times Gulf Cup champions Saudi Arabia denied current holders Qatar their first win in this year's tournament in a 1-1 draw at Al Nahyan stadium on Sunday.

Qatar, who finished the game with only 10 men, took a 1-0 lead through Ali Naser's 10th minute goal, but Malek Maaz levelled the scores for the Saudis in the 73rd to claim a share of the points.

The draw sees Saudi Arabia move up to joint-first in Group B, alongside Iraq who were also held to a 1-1 draw in a meeting with Bahrain earlier on Sunday.

"The match was a tough one," said Saudi Arabia coach Marcos Paqueta. "The performance of our team was slow at the start and the players were nearly lost after we conceded a goal in the first 10 minutes.

"However, we found our balance and scored the equaliser. I'm not satisfied with performance of the players but I'm satisfied with the result," said the Brazilian coach who was appointed before last year's World Cup in place of Argentinian Gabriel Calderon.

"We have created a lot of chances and everybody noticed that but we couldn't score. We haven't qualified yet as we'll have to face Iraq in order to qualify to the semis."

Qatar boss Dzemaludin Musovic said: "Looking at the score I'm satisfied.

"However, I cannot be pleased with the change of performance of the players."

The Bosnian continued: "We started very well and scored early in the game. However, our team is still young and the age average is 22 years old in the team. The team lack the necessary international experience. The tournament is a good experience for the team and it's a preparation for the Asian Cup."

Saudi Arabia were the better side in the first half and they should have opened the scores after nine minutes but Mohamed Al Shahlhoub's close-range effort was brilliantly saved by Qatar goalkeeper Mohamed Saqr.

The miss proved costly as moments later Qatar drew first blood from a set-piece.

Naser found the net with a free-kick which flew past Saudi goalkeeper Mohamad Khoja.

Despite their dominance in the remaining minutes of the first half, Saudi Arabia could not create any dangerous chances and instead it was Qatar who nearly doubled their lead 10 minutes before the break when Wesam Rizk was narrowly off-target with another free-kick.

In the 56th minute, Yasser Al Qahtani nearly levelled the scores for the Saudis after Abdo Oteif made his way into the area before sending in a low cross but Al Qahtani's follow-up was saved by Saqr.

Just five minutes later, the Saudis missed another chance to pull level and this time it was by Maaz who received a neat pass from Al Qahtani but managed to miss the target with only the goalkeeper to beat.

The equaliser eventually arrived in the 73rd minute after a quick counter-attack from Maaz who rounded three Qatar defenders before slotting the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.

There was more bad news for Qatar two minutes later when they were reduced to 10 men.

Ibrahim Al Ghanem was guilty of a cynical challenge on Yasser Al Qahtani and Malaysian referee Mohammed Subkiddin had no hesitation in producing the red card.

Ten minutes from time, Saudi Arabia went close to a winner when Oteif cut in from the right but he sent his shot narrowly over.

However, they failed to take advantage of their numerical advantage as Qatar held on for a draw.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 4:37 AM

Kolev set for Indonesia return

JAKARTA – The All Indonesia Football Federation (PSSI) have announced that Bulgarian Ivan Kolev is to return as Indonesian national team coach, replacing Englishman Peter Withe.

PSSI chairman Nurdin Halid revealed on Monday that while Withe had yet to be officially dismissed, Kolev will take charge of the national side for the upcoming Asian Cup, which Indonesia will co-host with Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam this July.

“As far as I’m concerned, the Peter Withe matter is over,” said Halid to reporters in Jakarta.

“I admit that I have not yet given him an official dismissal letter, which I’m planning on giving him tomorrow (Tuesday), but PSSI are officially appointing Ivan Kolev as the new national team coach.

“The reason for Kolev’s appointment is that he understands the character of the Indonesian players, thus making the three months of preparation prior to the Asian Cup a bit easier.”

Kolev, 49, was in charge of Indonesia from 2002 to 2004, leading the national team to the 2002 Asean Football Championship final which they lost in a penalty shootout to Thailand, then coached by Withe.

He also took Indonesia to the 2004 Asian Cup finals but made way for the Englishman after their opening round elimination in China.

The Bulgarian, who speaks fluent Bahasa Indonesia, subsequently led Myanmar to fourth place at the 2004 Asean Football Championship before returning to Indonesia last October as coach of top flight club Persipura Jayapura.

Withe’s position has been in doubt since the Indonesians were eliminated from the Asean Football Championship last Wednesday following the team’s 2-2 draw with defending champions Singapore.

at 4:26 AM