Late-goal drama as China stuns Iraq to give Camacho lifeline

KUALA LUMPUR: China’s Yu Dabao grabbed a vital injury-time winner yesterday and Malaysia and Hong Kong also had late goals to thank as they took big steps forward in qualifying for the 2015 Asian Cup.
Substitute striker Yu popped up in the third added minute in rain-soaked Changsha to hand China an unconvincing 1-0 win over Iraq and throw a lifeline to embattled coach Jose Antonio Camacho.
In the Chinese territory of Hong Kong, Chan Wai-ho was the hero as he pounced in the 87th minute to earn the hosts a 1-0 victory over Vietnam and put them provisionally top of Group E.
And Malaysia’s Khyril Muhymeen ensured the third home win of the night when he completed a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Yemen with 10 minutes left on the clock.
China’s tie against 2007 champions Iraq was played in heavy rain in Changsha but the hosts were given a golden opportunity to secure their first points of qualifying when their opponents were reduced to 10 men just before half time.
Iraq defender Ali Adnan was given his marching orders with a second yellow for encroachment as Sun Xiang took a free kick.
China had been unlucky not to go ahead in the 17th minute when Sun Ke’s looping cross was met with a powerful header by Yang Xu, which Iraq goalkeeper Noor Sabri deflected wide.
But they failed to take advantage of their numerical superiority until deep into stoppage time, with Camacho, his job under threat after a run of six games without a win, looking increasingly agitated pitch side.
Finally, as the final whistle loomed, they won a corner, which was met by a weak header from Zhang Linpeng, before Yu pounced for the vital winner.
“We were the home team and they had a player sent off so we had the advantage, but the second half it was raining so much that we couldn’t capitalize on that,” said Yu.
Camacho, ex-boss of Real Madrid and Spain, has been under heavy pressure from Chinese media after his team crashed out of World Cup qualifying, lost a series of friendlies and went down 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in their Group C opener.
But defeat was a cruel blow for Iraq manager Vladimir Petrovic in his first game in charge. The Serb formerly coached China but was sacked after he failed to steer them to the 2010 World Cup.
Meanwhile, minnows Hong Kong extended their dream start to qualifying with the win over Vietnam, which follows last month’s impressive away draw to Uzbekistan.
In Shah Alam, Malaysia, former co-hosts of the Asian showpiece, looked headed for their second defeat in two games when they went behind in the 12th minute. But the Malaysians were back on terms before the half-hour through Azamuddin Akil, before Khyril’s clincher lifted them off the foot of Group E, a position now occupied by Yemen.
Lebanon against Thailand, Bahrain versus Qatar and UAE against Uzbekistan were the night’s later kick-offs. The top two in five groups of four, plus the best third-placed team, will qualify for the 2015 tournament in Australia.