China beat Lebanon on controversial goals in Asian Cup qualifier

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China won through controversial goals against Lebanon on Saturday in the Group D of 2011 Asian Cup qualifier.

With two controversial goals, the match was almost ended as fans were provoked to insult the referee.

The moment came in the 72nd minute, when China's forward Qu Bo scored, which was suspected of a hand ball. After consulting with the assistant referee for two minutes, the referee from the United Arab Emirates judged the goal positive.

About 2,000 Lebanese fans who came to the Beirut Municipal Stadium to watch the game were provoked to shout "unfair" of the judgment, insulting the referee with dirt Arab words, which made the referee suspend the game.

The referee answered the audience with microphone, saying that he will end the match unless the fans get out of the stadium, or being exiled out by the riot police. However, the audience responded with louder noise.

The match started again after almost ten minutes as the officials from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) mediated between the audience and the referee.

The stadium quieted down afterwards and the fans were so disappointed with the referee and their team's performance. Some left the stadium before the game's ending.

China's Scottish Celtic midfielder Zheng Zhi later wasted a penalty kick created by Qu in the 83rd minute.

The 2-0 result gained China three points, but China can only settle in the second place in the Group with six points total. Syria stand at the first place with three victories out of three matches.

The first goal came from China's Yu Hai in the 44th minute. Yu volleyed the ball into the net at the right corner of penalty area, which was also in a trouble of suspicion for offside.

Lebanese players complained to the referee and their captain Roda Antar was yellow carded.

"I think the referee made two mistakes, which led to two goals for China," said Emile Rustom, Lebanese head coach. "The referee helped Chinese win the match."

When asked by a Lebanese journalist about how did he see the two goals that were complained by Lebanon coach. China's coach Gao Hongbo answered "a professional soccer coach never evaluate referees' performance".

The whole match lacked fluent pass and eyeable tactics. Gao said that the bad condition of the field was to be blamed.

Lebanon's best chance came at the 37th minute, but Haatouk shot the ball wide.

"Chinese did well in the match, but we did not grab our limited chances, so how can we win the match," Said Rustom.

The two sides will play again next week in China.

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