Japan break Qatar hearts to reach last-four
Inoha's late goal sets up 3-2 win in the Asian Cup.
DOHA:
A dramatic last-minute goal from defender Masahiko Inoha saw 10-man Japan snatch a 3-2 win over heartbroken hosts Qatar in their Asian Cup quarter-final. Inoha struck in the 90th minute to keep alive Japan’s bid for a fourth continental title and crush Qatar’s dreams of a first semi-final appearance.
Sebastian Suria’s 12th-minute opener for Qatar was cancelled out by Shinji Kagawa, who drew Japan level again with 20 minutes to go after Fabio Cesar’s free-kick crept inside Japan goal-keeper Eiji Kawashima’s near post. Japan defender Maya Yoshida was harshly dismissed after receiving a second yellow card in the incident that led to the free-kick, but with the arena set for extra time, Inoha struck a decisive last-gasp blow.
Qatar’s missed chances
A number of robust Qatari challenges in the early stages bore testament to the hosts’ desire to impose themselves. Qatar midfielder Mesaad Ali went close twice within a minute, working Kawashima at his near post and then forcing the goal-keeper into a one-handed save with a precise drive from 30 yards.
The breakthrough came soon after, as Uruguayan-born Suria cantered onto a ball over the top and stepped inside Yoshida before squeezing a left-foot shot beneath Kawashima.
Coach Alberto Zaccheroni led the protests from the Japanese bench, but replays showed that Suria had been played onside by Inoha.
Japan’s response was slow in coming but on 28 minutes they leveled courtesy Kagawa. Shinji Okazaki glanced a header wide of the far post from Yuto Nagotomo’s left-wing cross in the second period, before Yoshida’s red card shifted the momentum in Qatar’s favour.
Booked earlier, the centre-back was unfortunate to receive another caution after an innocuous tangle with Yusef Ahmed.
Worse was to follow moments later for Japan, as from the subsequent free-kick, substitute Cesar curled in a tame low shot that Kawashima fumbled into the net at his near post. Kagawa, however, levelled in the 70th minute and Inoha rolled home into an empty net after Kagawa had been felled by Khaled Muftah.
Japan will play the winners of today’s quarter-final between Iran and South Korea for a place in the final.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2011.
A dramatic last-minute goal from defender Masahiko Inoha saw 10-man Japan snatch a 3-2 win over heartbroken hosts Qatar in their Asian Cup quarter-final. Inoha struck in the 90th minute to keep alive Japan’s bid for a fourth continental title and crush Qatar’s dreams of a first semi-final appearance.
Sebastian Suria’s 12th-minute opener for Qatar was cancelled out by Shinji Kagawa, who drew Japan level again with 20 minutes to go after Fabio Cesar’s free-kick crept inside Japan goal-keeper Eiji Kawashima’s near post. Japan defender Maya Yoshida was harshly dismissed after receiving a second yellow card in the incident that led to the free-kick, but with the arena set for extra time, Inoha struck a decisive last-gasp blow.
Qatar’s missed chances
A number of robust Qatari challenges in the early stages bore testament to the hosts’ desire to impose themselves. Qatar midfielder Mesaad Ali went close twice within a minute, working Kawashima at his near post and then forcing the goal-keeper into a one-handed save with a precise drive from 30 yards.
The breakthrough came soon after, as Uruguayan-born Suria cantered onto a ball over the top and stepped inside Yoshida before squeezing a left-foot shot beneath Kawashima.
Coach Alberto Zaccheroni led the protests from the Japanese bench, but replays showed that Suria had been played onside by Inoha.
Japan’s response was slow in coming but on 28 minutes they leveled courtesy Kagawa. Shinji Okazaki glanced a header wide of the far post from Yuto Nagotomo’s left-wing cross in the second period, before Yoshida’s red card shifted the momentum in Qatar’s favour.
Booked earlier, the centre-back was unfortunate to receive another caution after an innocuous tangle with Yusef Ahmed.
Worse was to follow moments later for Japan, as from the subsequent free-kick, substitute Cesar curled in a tame low shot that Kawashima fumbled into the net at his near post. Kagawa, however, levelled in the 70th minute and Inoha rolled home into an empty net after Kagawa had been felled by Khaled Muftah.
Japan will play the winners of today’s quarter-final between Iran and South Korea for a place in the final.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2011.