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AAP
AAP
Glenn Moore

Klinsmann's South Korea start Asian Cup with win

South Korea have launched their Asian Cup campaign with an ultimately comfortable victory over Bahrain, but it was not without concern for coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

A 51st-minute Bahraini equaliser briefly threatened to derail the German's first match in charge at the finals before two goals by Paris St-Germain's Lee Kang-in steered them to a 3-1 win.

Later Jordan, South Korea's next opponents, moved above them to top group E after a 4-0 win over Malaysia.

In Group D Iraq beat Indonesia 3-1 to draw level on points with Japan, winners on Sunday

South Korea have not won the Asian Cup since 1960 but Klinsmann - whose decision to continue living in California has attracted criticism - wants to be judged on their display in Qatar.

With Lee, Tottenham's Son Heung-min, Hwang Hee-chan of Wolves, and Bayern Munich's Kim Min-jae the Taeguek Warriors certainly have the potential to be one of Australia's main rivals.

Their threat was underlined by a trio of composed finishes.

Hwang In-beom scored the first, the Red Star Belgrade player slotting in from Lee Jae-sung's cut-back after a quick free-kick from Kim caught Bahrain napping.

Abdullah Al-Hashash punished sloppy defending to level but five minutes later Lee Kang-in, from 25 metres, whipped home a superb goal to restore the lead.

The 22-year-old scored again after Son won possession and found Hwang In-beom who released Lee Kang-in for another fine finish

Son, however, missed chances as Bahrain faded and picked up a needless booking for simulation in the 93rd-minute with the game long done-and-dusted.

In a meeting of two outsiders Jordan brushed Malaysia aside with three goals in barely half-an-hour, adding a fourth late on. Mahmoud Al Mardi struck after 12 and 32 minutes either side of a penalty by Musa Al Tamari, who also scored the fourth.

Iraq won the Asian Cup in 2007, the last time Indonesia qualified (as co-hosts), and beat them 5-1 in World Cup qualifying in November.

But their match in the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium was much closer and remained in the balance until 15 minutes from the end.

After Mohanad Ali put Iraq ahead in the 18th-minute Marselino Ferdinan levelled in the 37th.

A tap-in for Shafeeq Rashid seven minutes into first-half injury time gave Iraq the edge, but the young Indonesian side continued to threaten even after Aymen Hussein gave Iraq a two-goal cushion.

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