South Korea thrash Taiwan 8-0

Jung Jo-gook scored a hat trick yesterday as South Korea gave Taiwan its worst thrashing yet in Asian Cup 2007 qualifiers to remain at the top of Group B.

Seol Ki-hyeon, of English Premier League team Reading, started South Korea's rout of Taiwan at Suwon's World Cup Stadium with a well-timed effort in the fourth minute.

Some footwork by Song Chong-gug on the right flank then set up FC Seoul forward Jung for a perfect header a minute later.

Taiwan few opportunities and almost added an own goal when defender Cheng Yung-jen flicked an attempted clearance off his own crossbar early in the first half.

Seol it 3-0 with a 43rd-minute header and Jung, who had a shot disallowed in the 41st for a foul, added his second goal just before the break.

Cho Jae-jin added further goals in the 65th and 82nd, the second of which came from a penalty, and Kim Do-heon extended the lead in the 79th.

Jung his hat trick with a blistering shot a minute before the final whistle.

With two games left to play, Taiwan, who have conceded 19 goals and scored none in four games, are left hugging the bottom of Group B.

South Korea leads the group with 10 points. Iran and Syria were vying for second place later last night.

The top two teams from each of the six qualifying groups will join the host nations Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand in the final round of next year's Asian Cup.