Koji Ito and Li Xuemei, the Asian Games king and queen of sprint, added to their titles in Bangkok yesterday as hosts Thailand braced for a battle royal in the football.

Li rose from her hospital bed to anchor China to victory in the women's 4x100 metre relay and Ito did not enjoy the responsibility of having to do the same in the men's race.

Li went to hospital after winning her 100 metre title on Monday. But she came back to lead the Chinese women home in a Games record of 43.36 seconds.

"I stayed in hospital for the whole of last night," said Li, who had a fever and a stomach complaint. "I was very weak but still confident we would win. We are much stronger than the others." Uzbekistan were second and Thailand third.

Ito, who was this week a pace away from becoming the first Asian to run 100 metres in under 10.00 seconds, led the Japanese relay squad to victory in an Asian record of 38.91 seconds. "I don't like to anchor relays at all," said the 28-year-old. "I just did it because our top sprinter Nobuharu Asahara is not here because of injury. I rarely do it and I hope Asahara comes back as soon as possible."

Thailand is counting on the national football team to play the game of their lives in today's soccer semi-final against Kuwait. Iran play China in the other match. The Asiad host nation erupted in joy when a Thai side reduced to nine men beat South Korea with an extraordinary sudden death golden goal on Monday.