AKIPRESS.COM - With coach Marcello Lippi in charge and the team needing a bit of help from an own-goal, China came from behind to beat Kyrgyzstan 2-1 at the Asian Cup on Monday, Washington Post reports.

Lippi, who won the World Cup with Italy in 2006, is trying to win another title in what is likely to be his last major tournament. But it won’t be easy in the United Arab Emirates.

Another coaching heavyweight, Sven-Goran Eriksson, lost his opening match of the Asian Cup when South Korea defeated the Philippines 1-0 in Dubai in the other Group C game.

In Group D, another favorite, Iran, routed Yemen 5-0.

China entered the Asian Cup with one win in seven games, including draws against Palestine, India, and Bahrain.

Akhlidin Israilov gave Kyrgyzstan the lead with a low left-foot shot from outside the box just before halftime.

Yu Dabao then angled in a left-footer in the 78th minute to ensure the fourth straight victory for China in its Asian Cup opening game and improve its record against Kyrgyzstan to 3-0.