A second-half header by veteran striker Hao Haidong handed China a 1-0 victory over Kuwait in their 2006 World Cup Asian opening qualifier in south China's Guangzhou Wednesday night.
Hao, who played a pivotal role in China's qualification for the 2002 World Cup, reaffirmed his place in the team as he headed home a right cross from midfielder Wei Xin in the 75th minute.
The match turned sour thereafter as the angry Kuwaiti players committed many fouls. Fahad Al-Hamad was sent off in the closing moments for spitting in the face of Chinese defender Li Weifeng.
China coach Arie Haan, who had vowed to beat his Kuwaiti opponents by at least two goals, said he was satisfied with the result.
"My players have done a good job in the match," said the Dutchman at the post-match press conference.
"The first match is always the most difficult for the players after a long training," he added.
Haan's view was echoed by the 34-year-old Hao.
"Usually, the opening match of a tournament is difficult to play," said Hao. "But I was lucky enough to score a goal."
After squandering a string of chances in the first half, China could have taken the lead in the 64th minute when Hao fired a half-volley into the net from close range. But the referee ruled it out because the ball had crossed the base line.
The home side went into the Asian Zone Group Four match lively as they had three shots in the first 10 minutes.
Li was close to scoring in the 12th minute when his shot went just wide of the goal.
Center back Zheng Zhi then missed another golden opportunity. He raced into the penalty box after making a neat teamwork with Hao, but he kicked the ball high over the bar.
Kuwait, which had seemed to be content with a draw, created few scoring opportunities and had no shots at all.
Kuwait coach Paulo Carpegiani expressed his disappointment.
"We should have won the match, but we were not lucky today," said Carpegiani.
"I made a mistake. I chose the wrong forward for the game. He failed to perform to my expectation," he added.
(Xinhua News Agency February 19, 2004)
