Koreans too good for hosts Qatar

South Korea fought back from a goal down to brush aside Qatar 4-1 in Doha yesterday to begin the fourth round of World Cup qualifying with an away win. The Koreans have played in the last seven tournament finals and the quality of their football at the air-conditioned Al Sadd Stadium suggested they would make it eight in Brazil in 2014. Striker Lee Keun-ho (twice), defender Kwak Tae-hwi and substitute Kim Shin-wook scored for the visitors who had too much class for a limited Qatar side restricted to counter attacking.      The victory put the Koreans top of Group A alongside Iran with what looks like a straightforward match against the lowest-ranked side left in Asian qualifying, Lebanon, at home on Tuesday. Qatar took the lead against the run of play in the 22nd minute through a fine individual goal by Yousef Ahmad Ali. The speedy Saudi Arabian-born striker outpaced defender Kwak down the left, cut in and fired a low shot under goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong to give the 2022 World Cup hosts a surprise lead. The Koreans, though, were not rattled and continued their composed pass-and-move style and Kim Bo-kyung’s left wing cross was headed in three minutes later at the near post by striker Lee Keun-ho. The visitors continued to control possession and the pressure told in the 55th minute when Kwak made up for his weak defending earlier to nod in a corner at the near post. Qatar were enraged 10 minutes later when they went 3-1 down through Korean substitute Kim Shin-wook even though Lee Dong-gook, who provided the assist, looked offside in the build-up. The hosts lost their discipline in the final stages with a number of rash tackles. Blond striker Lee Keun-ho was then left unmarked to head his second with 10 minutes remaining after a corner bounced across the goalmouth. Qatar, who won in Lebanon on Sunday, have little time to dwell on the defeat with an away trip coming up against Iran on Tuesday. Meanwhile,  Asian champions Japan continued their confident march towards the World Cup finals by handing 10-man Jordan a record-equalling 6-0 defeat as rivals Australia struggled under the scorching sun in the Middle East. The Socceroos escaped Oman with a 0-0 draw after a disjointed display in muggy Muscat where the 35 Celsius temperatures had a big impact. Although temperatures in Saitama were far cooler, the high-tempo play of Alberto Zaccheroni’s Japan side left Jordan feeling the heat as the Blue Samurai made it two wins from two to top Group B. CSKA Moscow playmaker Keisuke Honda registered a hat-trick and Manchester United-bound midfielder Shinji Kagawa was also on target as Japan outclassed a side they came within a minute of losing to last year at the Asian Cup. Japan need to finish in the top two of the group to guarantee a place in Brazil in 2014 and victory in Australia on Tuesday would put them in pole position to become the first team to qualify for the finals. “There is still room for improvement. The next game will be tougher and away to a very good team. But we will be going there to win and to keep this run going,” Kagawa said. Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, vice-president of world governing body FIFA and head of the Jordanian Football Association, lavished praise on the Asian champions but he had harsh words for the referees. Having seen Jordan forward Abdallah Salim controversially sent off in the first half, the prince released a strongly worded statement about the standard of officiating.  “We are in need of a thorough assessment of our refereeing system,” he said. Jordan next face Australia in September and will have taken confidence from the lack of creativity shown by the Socceroos in the draw in Muscat against world number 97 Oman. Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was on song for the Australians, the experienced stopper producing a fantastic save to turn Amad Al Hosni’s header round the post in the second half.from gulf times.