China -0  Japan -3

China fails to seize opening victory at Asian Games

Guangzhou, November 8 - Chinese men's footballers failed to achieve an opening victory here on Monday when they lost 0-3 to Japan in the Group A clash at the 16th Guangzhou Asian Games.

Japanese speedy striker Kensuke Nagai played a big role in the eye-catching game, assisting one, scoring one to help his side top of the group with three points.

China was at the bottom after the defeat as Malaysia beat Kyrgyzstan 2-1 earlier in the day.

"Though they (Japan) were more mature and fluid in attack, we still created many goal-scoring chances. We could have done better if we were more concentrated in defence, but our young players didn't do that," said Chinese caretaker coach Sun Wei.

"We scored the first goal before the opponent found their pace. After that, we could play with our style and pace," said Japanese coach Takashi Sekizuka.

The host looked a bit nervous at the beginning while Japan made a dream start just after 10 minutes. Chinese defenders failed to clear the ball far form the area, then the dangerous forward Kensuke sent an overhead pass, Ryohei Yamazaki followed up in time, delivering a volley shot to break the deadlock.

After 30 minutes, China gradually found position in midfield and relied on two flanks to create space. Left winger Zhang Yuan cut into the area but his sharp low cross didn't find the forward in the middle.

The best chance for China came in the 43rd minute when a through pass sent Wang Yunlong clear in front of the area.

The fast midfielder dribbled past the last defender but his low shot was caught by a diving save from Japan's keeper Shunsuke Ando.

Kensuke, the promising forward for Japan's senior team, enlarged the lead in the 58th minute after Chinese keeper Wang Dalei failed to punch a side cross far away.

Five minutes later, Japan's defender Daisuke Suzuki made the last shot when he headed a low freekick cross to the net.

Neither side has won Asian Games gold before. China's best result was a silver at Hiroshima in 1994. In Doha, China was stopped at the last eight after losing to Iran in the quarterfinals.

According to the rule, the top two of the six groups and other four best third-placed teams will advance to the last 16.

China will play the second opponent of the group Kyrgyzstan in two days.

In contrast to the other events, the 19-day football tournament is the longest of the Guangzhou Asiad, which is to officially open on November 12.

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