scored on a header in the 44th minute as China won 1-0 at Maldives on Saturday in an Asian World Cup qualifier at Male. China (2-0), led by former U.S. coach U.S. coach Bora Milutinovic, is 2-0 for six points, but trails Group Nine leader Indonesia (2-0) by one in goal difference. Indonesia plays Sunday at Cambodia, last at 0-2-1. Maldives is 1-3-1 with four points.
The group winner joins Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in the 10-nation Asian finals, which will produce two qualifiers for the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea.
In an African second-round game at Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo beat visiting Madagascar 2-0.
Madagascar defender Patrick Mami Soa accidentally deflected a shot by Ulrish Minga into his own net in the 42nd minute and Minga scored in the 75th.
Tunisia (3-0-1) leads Ivory Coast (3-0-1) on goal difference in Group D, with both at 10 points. Congo (2-3) has six, and Madagascar (1-4) and Republic of Congo (1-3) have three each.
The group winner qualifies for the 32-nation World Cup field.
World Cup Asian zone, group nine qualifier
Scorer: Xie Hui 44
Halftime: 0-1
Standings P W D L F A Pts
1. Indonesia 2 2 0 0 11 0 6
2. China 2 2 0 0 11 1 6
3. Maldives 5 1 1 3 8 17 4
4. Cambodia 3 0 1 2 1 13 1
Remaining matches:
April 29 - Cambodia v Indonesia
May 6 - Maldives v Indonesia
May 6 - Cambodia v China
May 13 - China v Indonesia
May 20 - China v Cambodia
May 27 - Indonesia v China
China move closer to World Cup after win over Indonesia (2001-05-27)Soccer World Cup-Maldives 0 China 1 (2001-04-29)China Beat Maldives in World Cup Qualifier (2001-04-23)3 (11285)
