UAE upsets Japan to reach Asian Cup semi finals
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E-mail Xinhua, January 23, 2015
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| Ali Ahmed Mabkhout (L) of United Arab Emirates fights for the ball during the quarterfinal match against Japan at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 23, 2015. United Arab Emirates defeated Japan after the extra time and penalty kick by 6-5 to enter the semifinal of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. [Qin Qing/Xinhua] |
The United Arab Emirates caused an AFC Asian Cup boil over, defeating reigning champions Japan in a penalty shootout in Sydney on Friday to advance to the semifinals.
Japan failed to hold their nerve from the spot, with both Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa missing penalties, as the United Arab Emirates won 5-4 to set up a semifinal with hosts Australia next week.
Earlier, Japan substitute Gaku Shibasaki cancelled out Ali Mabkhout's first-half goal. But in a hard fought contest, the United Arab Emirates would maintain their composure when it mattered most.
They joined Iraq in the semifinals of the Asian Cup after they defeated Iran via a penalty shootout following a thrilling match in Canberra.
Iran, who had played for 77 minutes with just 10 men, sent the match to a shootout following a tense 3-3 draw, with Iraq eventually claiming a 7-6 win from the spot.
But all eyes were on Sydney and on pre-tournament favourites Japan.
Japan had barely looked troubled throughout the group stages, but perhaps a sense of complacency set in, with the United Arab Emirates dominating the early stages of the match.
Mabkhout had an early opportunity, sent through on goal but seeing shot smothered by Eiji Kawashima.
However, he would regret the missed chance, giving the United Arab Emirates the lead just moments later. Killing the ball with his first touch, Mabkhout then lashed an unstoppable volley into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.
The goal sparked Japan into life, with Takashi Inui nearly leveling the scores soon after. However, he headed straight at Emirati keeper Majed Naser from close range.
Japan was finding it difficult to penetrate and could only muster half chances, with Honda then shooting into the side netting from an acute angle.
Their search for an equaliser went into the second half, but it was still the United Arab Emirates doing the majority of the attacking.
Omar Abdulrahman's terrific scooped pass fell for Mabkhout, but he rushed his volley and sliced a shot straight into Kawashima.
Japan eventually found their rhythm, but not the target. Half-time substitute Yoshinori Muto sent a free header over the bar from six yards out, before Kagawa's effort from a promising position was well saved by Naser.
Amid an uneventful period of extra time, the best chance of the match fell to Kagawa. However, he inexplicably put his shot inches wide from close range as the United Arab Emirates forced a shootout.
Kagawa would again miss a costly chance, as both he and Honda failed from 12 yards, with Ismael Ahmed's decisive penalty sending the United Arab Emirates into the final four of the competition.
Earlier, Iraq qualified for the semi finals of the Asian Cup for the second time in three attempts with a penalty shootout victory over Iran.
The match had ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw after 120 minutes, with Iraq eventually coming out triumphant via a 7-6 win from the spot.
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