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NEWS
22/01/2011
10-man Japan rally to beat Qatar in Asian Cup quarters
DOHA – Japan survived the loss of center-back Maya Yoshida to a red card and rallied with two late goals to overcome hosts Qatar 3-2 in the quarterfinals of the AFC Asian Cup in Doha on Friday.
Shinji Kagawa of Borussia Dortmund scored twice before Kashima Antlers defender Masahiko Inoha stole into the box to fire home the winner in the 90th minute.
Japan faced a tough challenge from the hosts with the Qatari fans giving loud support to their team at Al Gharafa Stadium.
Featuring the in-form duo of Sebastian Soria and Yusef Ahmed up front, the Qataris attacked gaps in the Japanese defence.
Qatar came close with two sharp efforts from Messad Ali in the ninth minute, but both his 10-meter volley and 30-meter piledriver were brilliantly saved by Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.
However, the hosts’ pressure paid off in the 13th minute when Sebastian Soria latched on to a long pass down the right, cut inside and beat defender Maya Yoshida and Kawashima with a low shot.
Bruno Metsu’s side tried to press home their advantage, but Japan played patiently and started to create chances of their own.
In the 25th minute, Yuto Nagatomo came forward to attack but his shot drifted past the right post.
However, three minutes later, the Boys in Blue were level.
Keisuke Honda chipped the ball to Shinji Okazaki in the box and his goal-bound lob was headed home by Kagawa.
Qatar threatened the Japanese goal again in the 31st minute with an attempt from Ahmed, but Japan also came close with a good effort from outside the box by Makoto Hasebe in the 35th minute that forced Qatar goalkeeper Qasem Burhan to make a nimble save. Kagawa also came close in the 43rd minute.
Things took a dramatic turn for the worse for Japan around the hour mark when Yoshida received his second yellow card for a tackle on Ahmed.
Even worse, Qatar substitute midfielder Fabio Cesar’s low free-kick found a way through the Japan defence and into the goal, giving Qatar a 2-1 lead.
Japan boss Alberto Zaccheroni brought on defender Daiki Iwamasa and took off forward Ryoichi Maeda.
Japan had to absorb more Qatar pressure, but continued to press forward in search of an equalizer, which came in the 70th minute.
Okazaki did well to help a Honda pass on to Kagawa, who beat a defender and fired past the keeper, leveling the scores at 2-2.
Qatar continued to attack hard and had good attempts from Ahmed, Bilal Mohammed, Cesar and Sebastian, but Japan defended resolutely.
Then Japan snatched a third goal.
In the 90th minute, Kagawa took control of the ball in the box and was brought down, but Inoha rushed in to stroke the loose ball into the net from close range and secure a famous victory for the Samurai Blue.
Shinji Kagawa of Borussia Dortmund scored twice before Kashima Antlers defender Masahiko Inoha stole into the box to fire home the winner in the 90th minute.
Japan faced a tough challenge from the hosts with the Qatari fans giving loud support to their team at Al Gharafa Stadium.
Featuring the in-form duo of Sebastian Soria and Yusef Ahmed up front, the Qataris attacked gaps in the Japanese defence.
Qatar came close with two sharp efforts from Messad Ali in the ninth minute, but both his 10-meter volley and 30-meter piledriver were brilliantly saved by Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.
However, the hosts’ pressure paid off in the 13th minute when Sebastian Soria latched on to a long pass down the right, cut inside and beat defender Maya Yoshida and Kawashima with a low shot.
Bruno Metsu’s side tried to press home their advantage, but Japan played patiently and started to create chances of their own.
In the 25th minute, Yuto Nagatomo came forward to attack but his shot drifted past the right post.
However, three minutes later, the Boys in Blue were level.
Keisuke Honda chipped the ball to Shinji Okazaki in the box and his goal-bound lob was headed home by Kagawa.
Qatar threatened the Japanese goal again in the 31st minute with an attempt from Ahmed, but Japan also came close with a good effort from outside the box by Makoto Hasebe in the 35th minute that forced Qatar goalkeeper Qasem Burhan to make a nimble save. Kagawa also came close in the 43rd minute.
Things took a dramatic turn for the worse for Japan around the hour mark when Yoshida received his second yellow card for a tackle on Ahmed.
Even worse, Qatar substitute midfielder Fabio Cesar’s low free-kick found a way through the Japan defence and into the goal, giving Qatar a 2-1 lead.
Japan boss Alberto Zaccheroni brought on defender Daiki Iwamasa and took off forward Ryoichi Maeda.
Japan had to absorb more Qatar pressure, but continued to press forward in search of an equalizer, which came in the 70th minute.
Okazaki did well to help a Honda pass on to Kagawa, who beat a defender and fired past the keeper, leveling the scores at 2-2.
Qatar continued to attack hard and had good attempts from Ahmed, Bilal Mohammed, Cesar and Sebastian, but Japan defended resolutely.
Then Japan snatched a third goal.
In the 90th minute, Kagawa took control of the ball in the box and was brought down, but Inoha rushed in to stroke the loose ball into the net from close range and secure a famous victory for the Samurai Blue.
