BEIJING, 20 July 2004 — South Korea had to settle for a point when they were held to a goalless draw by stubborn Jordan in their opening Asian Cup match yesterday.
Kuwait took full advantage, beating the United Arab Emirates 3-1 to go top of Group B on three points.
Both games were played against the backdrop of a row caused after a top Asian Football Confederation (AFC) official launched a scathing attack on Beijing at the weekend.
AFC General Secretary Peter Velappan sought to defuse a potentially explosive situation by apologizing for his remarks following a backlash from fans and Chinese media.
South Korea, World Cup semifinalists two years ago, dominated against Jordan but could not find a way past goalkeeper Amer Sabbah.
Striker Ahn Jung-hwan, whose goal knocked Italy out of the 2002 World Cup, was twice denied by brilliant saves from Sabbah while Lee Dong-gook and Seol Ki-hyeon also went close.
Jordan rarely threatened on their Asian Cup debut, pulling all 11 men behind the ball to frustrate the group favorites.
“I am not at all satisfied with 0-0,” fumed South Korea coach Jo Bonfrere. “Jordan were lucky.”
Kuwait captain Bashar Abdullaziz gave the 1980 winners the lead after 25 minutes in their win over UAE. A penalty from Bader Al Mutwa and an own goal from Basheer Saeed in first-half stoppage time put Kuwait 3-0 up at the break. Striker Mohamed Rashid pulled one back for UAE two minutes after the restart but Kuwait held on thanks largely to goalkeeper Shehab Kankone.
Off the pitch, Velappan had stirred anger by accusing fans in Beijing of being rude for booing during Saturday’s opening ceremony.
He also voiced doubts that the Chinese capital could host a successful Olympics in 2008. But in a face-saving move, Velappan backtracked.
“If I have hurt their feelings, I apologize,” he said.
“I have every confidence that the Beijing Olympics will be the best ever. I am the greatest admirer of China and the Chinese people.”
Velappan had complained bitterly about the swathes of empty seats visible during the opening game between China and Bahrain, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
A crowd of 30,000 turned up to watch the first two Group B games in Jinan, calming the tournament organizers’ nerves.
Chelsea and Marseille Agree
Terms Over Drogba
In London, Chelsea and Olympique Marseille have agreed terms for the transfer of Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, the English Premier League club said on its website yesterday.
Financial details were not disclosed but British media put the figure involved around 24 million pounds ($44.95 million), a club record fee. Last week Marseille rejected a 28 million euro ($34.84 million) bid.
Drogba is due to arrive in London today.
A statement on the Chelsea website said the club was “delighted” to confirm that terms had been agreed.
Drogba, 26, cost Marseille six million euros ($7.47 million) when he joined from En Avant Guingamp a year ago.
The Ivory Coast international is regarded as one of the best strikers in the French championship. Last season he scored 18 goals in 35 league games and 11 in a European campaign that took Marseille to the final of the UEFA Cup. He scored the winner for Ivory Coast in a World Cup qualifier against Egypt in a 2-1 victory a month ago.
Marseille President Christophe Bouchet said he was reluctant to let the player leave, but that the offer was too good to turn down.
