GUANGZHOU, China: Desperate China needed a dramatic winning goal in the fourth minute of injury time to keep their Asian Games hopes alive in a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Kyrgyzstan Wednesday. Wu Xi struck the decisive goal which secured the three points and set-up a winner takes all clash with Malaysia Saturday to secure an automatic qualifying place alongside Group A rival Japan. The Japanese side made sure of its place in the next stage with a 2-0 win over the Malaysians earlier in the day. North Korea also reached the second round with a 3-0 win over the Palestinian territories, a victory which kept up their 100-percent record in Group C. China had lost 3-0 to Japan in its opening game and the team's state of siege was underlined by coach Sun Wei's decision to drop first choice goalkeeper Wang Dalei. In Group B, 2002 champion Iran edged Bahrain 1-0. Turkmenistan romped to a 6-2 win over Vietnam. – Agence France
