NEWS

The Japan Under-20 side reached the final of the East Asian Games tournament in Hong Kong on Thursday when they edged Korea Republic 2-1 after extra time in the semifinals.

Jubilo Iwata midfielder Kosuke Yamamoto’s ninth-minute opener was cancelled out in the 20th minute, but forward Kensuke Nagai of Fukuoka University struck in the dying moments of extra-time to give his side the win.
Japan will play hosts Hong Kong in the final on Saturday. Hong Kong held off DPR Korea 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra-time in Thursday’s other semifinal.