Iran and Kuwait set up Bangkok final repeat

AFP - Kuwait earned themselves a chance of revenge for their 1998 final defeat when they booked an Asian Games quarter-final clash with football champions Iran here on Saturday.

Kuwait beat North Korea 2-0 while Iran were fortunate to grab a 1-1 draw with Qatar.

Both Kuwait and Iran move into the last eight where the Gulf side will be hoping to avenge their 2-0 defeat in the final of the last Asian Games in Bangkok four years ago.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Japan beat Uzbekistan 1-0 to clinch their spot in the last eight where they will face China, while Bahrain's 5-0 demolition of Palestine meant they went through as a best runner-up at the expense of India on goal difference.

They will face hosts South Korea while North Korea clinched the other best runner-up spot and will now meet Thailand in the quarter-finals.

Two breathtaking goals in a minute were enough to give Kuwait their win and top spot in Group F with Khalaf Al Mutairi on target after 25 minutes before skipper Bashar Abdullah almost immediately settled the match.

Iran put in a lacklustre performance in their 1-1 draw with Qatar but it was enough to top Group E while the Qataris were eliminated.

Ibrahim Al-Ghanim opened the scoring for the Gulf side after 32 minutes but their joy was short-lived as Ali Badavi levelled two minutes later.

Japan defeated Uzbekistan 1-0 to win Group D with a perfectly struck 40th-minute spot-kick from striker Satoshi Nakayama sealing the victory which was achieved despite some rough-house tactics by the Uzbeks.

Japan also had a goal disallowed and saw a shot hit the woodwork midway through the first half.

Bahrain clinched second place with their 5-0 win over Palestine and that was bad news for India who had been hoping to slip through as a best runner-up in Group C where they had finished second to China.

Afghanistan's baptism by fire continued when they were crushed 11-0 by Lebanon to leave them with a record of 32 goals against and none in the credit column after their three matches.