South Korea launched their campaign for a first Asian Cup since 1960 with a 3-1 win over Bahrain while fellow former champions Iraq beat Indonesia by the same scoreline Monday.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in upstaged Son Heung-min with two goals for Jurgen Klinsmann’s South Korea, who are among the favorites for the title in Qatar.
Lee has impressed at PSG since joining from Mallorca last summer and he got Klinsmann’s side out of a spot of bother against a spirited Bahrain who equalized early in the second half.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder showcased his sublime skills with a second-half brace to seal the three points for the Koreans.
His man-of-the-match display was in stark contrast to skipper and Tottenham Hotspur striker Son.
He was guilty of two glaring misses and suffered the indignity of a late yellow card for diving in the Bahrain box.
Son is eyeing something “special” at his fourth Asian Cup but warned his side it will not come easy.
Hosts and reigning champions Qatar, Japan, Australia, Iran and Saudi Arabia have all been touted as serious contenders.
“We have a fantastic team and we have amazingly talented players, but it’s all about commitment,” Son said.
“We have an unbelievable team but we haven’t won it for 64 years so it means it’s quite long.
“We have just one aim — to make it special with this team and make it a special year.”
After a slow start last year to his tenure, German legend Klinsmann has seen his South Korean side hit form at the right time.
As well as a red-hot Lee, they also boast Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae and Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-chan, who has scored 10 times in the Premier League this season.
South Korea next face Jordan on Saturday in Group E.
In a Group D that includes hotly tipped Japan, Iraq were made to work by Indonesia before also running out 3-1 winners.
Iraq, the 2007 Asian champions, pummelled Indonesia 5-1 in Basra during World Cup qualifying in November and defeated coach Shin Tae-yong pledged before this game that his team would come back better.
His young Indonesia side, with eight of their starters born this century, gave a much better account of themselves in front of a raucous crowd of 16,532.
But Iraq repeatedly threatened to get behind Indonesia’s back line and on 16 minutes they did, Mohanad Ali barging his way through to blast into the top-right corner.
Indonesia were level 20 minutes later, the 19-year-old Marselino Ferdinan finishing emphatically at the far post.
But Osamah Rashid stroked home to ensure a 2-1 half-time lead for Iraq and 15 minutes from the end Aymen Hussein blasted in from close range to make the points safe.
While accepting that Iraq were the better side, Shin fumed afterwards about what he said was an offside during Iraq’s second goal.
“This is 100 percent offside. This kind of wrong decision-making from referees will decrease the image of the Asian Cup,” he said.
Malaysia face Jordan in the final game of the day on Monday.
Son Heung-min fluffs lines but Korea, Iraq win openers at Asian Cup
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Son Heung-min fluffs lines but Korea, Iraq win openers at Asian Cup
- Son was outshone against Bahrain by Paris Saint-Germain attacking midfielder Lee Kang-in
San Antonio Spurs extend domination of NBA-best Thunder
- After roaring to a 24-1 start, the Thunder have dropped four of their past six games — three of those losses coming to the Spurs
- Houston’s Amen Thompson scored 26 points to lead the Rockets over the host Los Angeles Lakers 119-96
- At New York, Jalen Brunson scored 34 points to lead the host Knicks over Cleveland 126-124
NEW YORK: Reigning champion Oklahoma City have the NBA’s best record, but they cannot beat San Antonio, with superstar Victor Wembanyama coming off the bench Thursday to help lift the Spurs to an emphatic 117-102 victory.
De’Aaron Fox scored a game-high 29 points while Wembanyama had 19 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes and guard Stephon Castle added 19 points for the Spurs, who stretched their win streak to eight games.
“My first Christmas game,” Fox said. “It feels great getting another victory.”
After roaring to a 24-1 start, the Thunder have dropped four of their past six games — three of those losses coming to the Spurs.
“When you play a team of this caliber, the details are much more magnified,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “We did a phenomenal job as the game progressed adhering to those nuances.”
Wembanyama wouldn’t call it a statement win for the season but he says the Spurs have learned from beating the Thunder.
“I’m not really sure it’s smart to think so far into the future,” said Wembanyama.
“This is like a playoff series. We played them three times in 10 days so we learned a lot on the technical side.”
Oklahoma City lost for the first time in 15 home games this season despite 22 points by reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder sank their first seven shots to take an 18-12 lead but the Spurs closed the first quarter on an 11-0 run for a 41-36 edge and never looked back.
“The guys were working their butts off,” Johnson said.
The Spurs improved to 23-7, second in the Western Conference behind the Thunder at 26-5.
Fox made 12-of-19 shots from the floor, 3-of-4 from three-point range.
“He was carrying us a little bit,” Wembanyama said. “He’s a guy who can make things happen.”
The Spurs have not reached the playoffs since 2019 and have not won a playoff series since 2017.
In other games, Houston’s Amen Thompson scored 26 points to lead the Rockets over the host Los Angeles Lakers 119-96.
Kevin Durant added 25 points and Alperen Sengun had 14 points and 12 rebounds for Houston.
“We wanted to come out here and play with a sense of urgency for 48 minutes,” Durant said. “The basketball world is watching you tonight.”
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 25 points while four-time NBA MVP LeBron James added 18 points.
James, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, played in his 20th NBA Christmas contest, his holiday record falling to 11-9.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves had 12 points in 15 minutes before leaving with left calf soreness.
Knicks outlast Cavs
At New York, Jalen Brunson scored 34 points to lead the host Knicks over Cleveland 126-124.
The Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell’s 34 points, grabbed a 103-86 lead with 10:25 remaining but New York closed on a 40-21 run to seize the victory.
Benson, who hit 6-of-12 from three-point range, lifted the Knicks ahead for good at 121-119 on a three-pointer with 65 seconds remaining.
It was Benson’s 90th 30-point game as a Knick, a total eclipsed only by Patrick Ewing and Carmelo Anthony.
Jordan Clarkson added 25 points off the New York bench.
At San Francisco, Stephen Curry scored 23 points despite shooting 6-of-18 overall and 2-of-10 from three-point range to lead Golden State over Dallas 126-116.
“Didn’t shoot it well but we got a great win,” Curry said. “Just focused on the details of what this team can do to win.”
Seven Warriors scored in double figures with Jimmy Butler contributing 14 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
The Mavericks’ 19-year-old forward Cooper Flagg, the second-youngest NBA Christmas starter after 18-year-old James in 2003, scored a game-high 27 points.
Dallas star Anthony Davis exited after playing only 11 minutes with what appeared to be a groin injury.
Dallas guard Klay Thompson scored seven points in a return to the Bay Area, where he helped Golden State capture four NBA titles.
