Adam Bailey
DeanoHarmoAsian Cup - Saudi Arabia Upsets Japan to go through to Final
July 26th 2007 08:22
Category: No Category
The upsets continued in the Asian Cup, with Saudi Arabia recording a 3-2 victory to edge out Japan and qualify for the final against Iraq.
A long-range strike from Yasser Al Qahtani gave the Saudis the lead after 35 minutes; but as they did against Australia the Japanese equalised almost immediately when Yuji Nakazawa headed home a corner. 1-1 at half-time.
Saudi Arabia again hit the lead after the break when a pin-point cross hit Malek Maaz who calmly headed it through. But again Japan quickly equalised when a flying scissor kick from Yuki Abe hit the Saudi net. But in a high-scoring shoot-out, Malek Maaz scored the decisive blow just 4 minutes later; with a long bomb netting his second goal.
3-2 after 57 minutes - there was still plenty of time for an equaliser. And there could so easily have been, with the defending champions dominating possession and creating numerous chances. But the Saudis held firm and the equaliser didn't come - and in an all-Arabic final Saudi Arabia will clash with Iraq on Sunday night.
Saudi Arabia 3 (Yasser Al Qahtani 35, Malek Maaz 47, 57) d Japan 2 (Yuji Nakazawa 37, Yuki Abe 53)
Saudi Arabia progress to final against Iraq on Sunday. Japan play Korea Republic in third place play-off on Saturday
Pic from AFCAsianCup.com
A long-range strike from Yasser Al Qahtani gave the Saudis the lead after 35 minutes; but as they did against Australia the Japanese equalised almost immediately when Yuji Nakazawa headed home a corner. 1-1 at half-time.
Saudi Arabia again hit the lead after the break when a pin-point cross hit Malek Maaz who calmly headed it through. But again Japan quickly equalised when a flying scissor kick from Yuki Abe hit the Saudi net. But in a high-scoring shoot-out, Malek Maaz scored the decisive blow just 4 minutes later; with a long bomb netting his second goal.
Celebration time for Saudi Arabia after progressing to the final
Saudi Arabia 3 (Yasser Al Qahtani 35, Malek Maaz 47, 57) d Japan 2 (Yuji Nakazawa 37, Yuki Abe 53)
Saudi Arabia progress to final against Iraq on Sunday. Japan play Korea Republic in third place play-off on Saturday
Pic from AFCAsianCup.com
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