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10MA TOPICS! [CHINA FA] AFC Asian Cup 2019 Group C: China PR 2-1 Kyrgyz Republic

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January 9, 2019

NEWS

Al Ain: China escaped with all three points from their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 opener on Monday as Marcello Lippi’s side staged a second half rally to hand debutants Kyrgyz Republic a 2-1 defeat at Al Ain’s Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium.

Akhlidin Israilov had given Alexander Krestinin’s team the lead three minutes before the break but an unfortunate own goal by Kyrgyz keeper Pavel Matiash and a fine finish from substitute Yu Dabao earned China the win in the nations’ Group C opener.

China went into the game without suspended captain Zheng Zhi, the former AFC Player of the Year, but were still heavily fancied against a team making their debut at the AFC Asian Cup.

But Kyrgyz Republic made it clear from the outset they would not be overawed, either by the opposition or the occasion, and started the game putting the Chinese defence on the back foot.

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