Saudi Arabia crush Bahrain to reach quarters

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July 18, 2007 23:36 IST

Saudi Arabia brushed aside Bahrain 4-0 in Palembang on Wednesday to reach the Asian Cup quarter-finals as Group D winners.

The Saudis dominated the match, taking the lead on 18 minutes through striker Ahmed Al Mousa and doubling the advantage just before halftime with a goal by Abdulrahman Al Qahtani.

Al Mousa took advantage of a defensive mix-up to finish calmly from close range and Al Qahtani clipped the ball home at the far post following a teasing cross from the right. Striker Taisir Al Jassam added the third goal with a superb 25-metre strike on 68 minutes and he completed the rout with a coolly-taken second 11 minutes from time.

Saudi Arabia will play Group C runners-up Uzbekistan in the last eight in Jakarta on Sunday.

Bahrain finished bottom of the standings with three points earned from their upset victory over South Korea.

Iran overpower Malaysia to topĀ Group C

Iran struck once in each half to ease to a 2-0 victory over hosts Malaysia and march into the Asian Cup quarter-finals as Group C winners. Javad Nekounam converted a penalty on 29 minutes and Andranik Teymourian jinked past two defenders before drilling the ball low into the net 11 minutes from time to emphasise Iran's superiority.

Malaysia rarely threatened the Iran defence, the co-hosts limping out of the tournament after conceding 12 goals in three matches and scoring just one.

Iran will play South Korea in the quarter-finals in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

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