China edges Lebanon 1-0 in Asian Cup qualifier

China edges Lebanon 1-0 in Asian Cup qualifier

HANGZHOU, Southeast China, Nov. 22 -- China beat Lebanon 1-0 to get their third win in a row at the AFC Asian Cup qualifier at the Yellow Dragon Sports center here on Sunday.

China ranks the second with 9 points after three wins and a loss, a point lower than Group D leaders Syria at 10. China lost to Syria in their first meeting, and the two sides will meet again next January in Hangzhou. Vietnam sits at the third with four points, while Lebanon takes the bottom seat after four defeats.

China's Zhao Xuri (L) acts during a qualification match against Lebanon of Group D for the Asian Cup football in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 22, 2009. China won the match 1-0.

Captain Du Wei took the winner with a header following Deng Zhuoxiang's right wing cross in the 19th minute.

The hosts had several clear chances in the match. Rong Hao burst down the left and fed a nice low cross to pick an unmarked midfielder Hao Junmin in the box, before the latter's shot was parried by keeper Lary Mehanna on 18 minutes. Zhao Xuri forced the in-form keeper another great save with a powerful long range shot before the break.

Deng Zhuoxiang's 56 minute freekick was also denied by Mehanna.

China's coach Gao Hongbo (L) reacts during a qualification match against Lebanon of Group D for the Asian Cup football in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 22, 2009. China won the match 1-0.

Lary Mehanna, goalie of Lebanon saves the ball against China during a qualification match of Group D for the Asian Cup football in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 22, 2009.

China's players pose for photos before a qualification match against Lebanon of Group D for the Asian Cup football in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 22, 2009. China won the match 1-0.
(Xinhua/Xu Yu)