Jakarta (ANTARA News) - At the 18th Asian Games` soccer preliminary round, the teams of China, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam have successfully defeated their respective opponents.

These countries at least showed their dominance in their first appearance ahead of the opening ceremony of the 18th Asian Games which will officially be carried out at the Jakarta`s Gelora Bung Karno stadium on Saturday evening (Aug.18).

It is the second time that Indonesia would host the Asia`s largest multi-sport event after its debut in 1962.

The Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang in South Sumatra Province will co-host the quadrennial sports event from Aug. 18 to Sept. 2, 2018.

Thousands of athletes and officials from 45 Asian countries have been registered for the Games. They will vie for medals in 40 sports and 67 disciplines.

In its first performance, the Chinese national soccer team crushed Timor Leste with a score of 6-0 in the opening match of group C which took place at the Si Jalak Harupat stadium, Bandung District on Tuesday (Aug 14).

Four teams placed in group C are United Arab Emirate, China, Timor-leste, and Syria.

The China`s six goals were scored by Zhang Yuning in the 3rd and 47th minutes respectively, Zhang Yuan in the 15th minute, Gao Zhunyi in the 26th minute, Wei Shihao in the 33rd minute, and Yao Junsheng in the 36th minute.

Starting the first round, China immediately suppressed Timor Leste`s defense. He Chao along with his teammates, immediately demonstrated the high tempo game.

The China`s first goal was scored by Zhang Yuning in the 3rd minute with a header. Some 12 minutes later, China managed to add the score through Zhang Yuan.

While Timor Leste seemed to be difficult to penetrate China`s defense, they only relied on counterattacks to maximize the speed of Cruz Martins.

Until the long whistle sounded by the referee, the score remained 6-0 for China`s victory.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian U-23 (under 23 years old) national team in its first match in group A also successfully crushed the Chinese Taipei team with a score of 4-0.

The soccer match which was held at the Patriot Chandrabaga Stadium, in Bekasi, West Java Province, on Sunday (Aug.12) was the third day of the Asian Games soccer matches, prior to the official opening.

The four goals were scored by the Indonesian players Stefano Lilipaly (in the 67th and 76th minutes), Alberto Goncalves (in 71st minute) and Muhammad Hargianto (in 90 + 3 minute).

The victory made Indonesia`s temporary position at the second place in Group A with three points, under Palestine with four points.

Although it has the same points as Hong Kong, Indonesia made more goals compared to the Hong Kong`s 3 goals.

In the meantime, Uzbekistan won 3-0 against Bangladesh in the inaugural match of group B which was held at the Bogor Pakansari Stadium in West Java on Tuesday (Aug.14).

Uzbekistan took the lead in the first half thanks to a header from captain Urinboev Zabikhillo to ensure victory with additional goals from Khamdamov Dostonbek and Alibaev Ikromjon.

The players of Uzbekistan, who were consistently attacking from the opening minutes, got another goal with a powerful kick from Khamdamov in 57 minutes in the penalty area thanks to Khaydarov Ravshan`s slick team play.

Uzbekistan`s pattern of play led to a goal from Alibaev Ikromjon kick on 66 minutes after the ball was repeatedly processed in the penalty box.

Uzbekistan dominated in this match with 73 percent possession compared to 27 percent of Bangladesh`s team possession.

The attacking performance of Uzbekistan resulted in a total of 20 kick attempts with 11 of them heading towards goal, while Bangladesh recorded only two kicks and none pointed to the opponent`s goal during the 90 minutes of the match.

Bangladesh coach, Day James disclosed that his team played more defensively in the second half and failed to produce a goal.

Day James also criticized the referee`s decision not to give a penalty when the Bangladesh attacker fell in the penalty box.

Uzbekistan dominated in this match with 73 percent possession compared to 27 percent possession of Bangladesh.

The attacking performance of Uzbekistan resulted in a total of 20 kick attempts with 11 of them heading towards goal. Meanwhile Bangladesh recorded only two kicks and none pointed to the opponent`s goal during the 90 minutes of the match.

In addition, the Vietnamese national team grabbed full points by beating Pakistan 3-0 in the qualifying match for the 2018 Asian Football Group D at Wibawa Mukti stadium, in Bekasi District, West Java, on Tuesday.

Since the first round, Vietnamese players coached by Seo Park Hang, continued launching pressure on Pakistan.

Vietnam`s first goal was scored in the 21st minute by Nguyen Quang Hai, who received a cross from Nguyen Chong Phong.

The second goal for Vietnam was netted in the 41st minute by Nguyen Van Quyet who managed to break into Pakistan`s goal which was guarded by Saqib Hanif.

The Vietnamese third goal was created by Nguyen Cong Phuong in the 72nd minute.

All the 25 soccer teams namely Indonesia, Hong Kong, Laos, Chinese Taipei, Palestine, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Qatar,

China, Timor-leste, Syria, Japan, Vietnam, Pakistan, Nepal, South Korea, Kyrgistan, Malaysia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirate, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Myanmar are divided in six groups (from A to F).

Editing by A Abdussalam

Reporter: Bustanuddin
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018