ABU DHABI, 30 November 2003 — Asian teams were the big winners yesterday as Japan and South Korea won their opening matches at the 14th FIFA World Youth Championship being played in the United Arab Emirates.

Japan beat England 1-0 through a well-taken second-half header from striker Daisuke Sakata in a Group D match played in Dubai.

Both sides disappointed in the first half, but the Japanese were impressive in the second as they took the game to their opponents. They were rewarded in the 54th minute when Sakata beat goalkeeper Andy Lonegran.

South Korea scored twice in the second half through Lee Ho-jin and Lee Jong-min to register a 2-0 victory against Germany in a Group F match played in Abu Dhabi.

The Koreans played attractive counter-attacking football, with which they powered the Germans to the ground. Both games followed defensive lapses by German players.

In the other afternoon match, Cote d’Ivoire beat Mexico 2-1 in a Group E game played in Al Ain. Adolph Tohoua and Arouna Kone scored either side of the break, while Aldo de Nigris pulled one back for the Mexicans five minutes from the end.

Earlier, a brace from Stephen Elliot helped Ireland to a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in the opening Group E game in Al-Ain.

In the opening game in Group D, Colombia drew 0-0 with Egypt while in Group F the United States came from a goal down against Paraguay to win 3-1.

Ireland started well against a physically imposing Saudi Arabia side and took a deserved lead after 17 minutes when Willo Flood crossed from the right for his Manchester City teammate Elliot to fire home from six meters.

The Saudis came more and more into the game and leveled matters through Al Mahyani shortly after the restart before Elliot scored his second for the Irish with a glancing header 13 minutes from the end.

The United States made the perfect start to their campaign when second-half goals from Ed Johnson, Mike Magee and Bobby Convey gave them victory over Paraguay after Julio Dos Santos gave the South Americans an early lead.

The competition continues with the Group A matches between the hosts and Panama, as well as Burkina Faso and Slovakia. In Group B, Mali take on Spain, while Argentina face Uzbekistan.