JEDDAH, 7 October 2003 — Saudi Arabia began their group qualifying matches for the Asian Cup in China in 2004 with a thumping 7-0 verdict against Yemen at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium here yesterday.
Yosri Al-Basha was the scoring hero of the day with a four-goal burst, all in the first 35 minutes of the game. He began his striking spree in the 16th minute, netted the second in the 18th, smashing in the third in the 24th and rounding of his superb show in the 35th.
Muhammad Nur then embellished the tally in the 65th minute and then Talal Al-Meshal won a 73rd minute penalty when he was felled by a robust tackle inside the box, and Muhammad Al-Shalloub struck true from the spot. Al-Meshal then got into the scoring act in the 80th minute with a super seventh for the Saudis.
Later, Indonesia defeated Bhutan 2-0 in the other group game. The Saudis, who had Abdullah Al-Waked sent out in the game yesterday, are the favorites to win the group.
Netherlands Leave Out
Van Nistelrooy, Hasselbaink
Agency adds: In Amsterdam, Netherlands coach Dick Advocaat left strikers Ruud van Nistelrooy and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink out of the squad for his team’s final Euro 2004 qualifying match against Moldova on Saturday.
The Dutch are certain to finish second in Group Three following their 3-1 defeat by the Czech Republic last time out and face a playoff to try to reach next year’s tournament in Portugal.
