Japan ensure themselves qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup finals. Through a tight battle throughout the 120 minutes plus penalties drama, 'Blue Samurai' finally get rid of South Korea.
In the match at Al-Gharafa Stadium, Doha, on Tuesday (1/25/2011), South Korea's first lead in the 21st minute through a penalty Ki Sung-yueng. But Japan is able to equalize in the 36th minute through sontekan Ryoichi Maeda.
Due to the normal time permanent positions 1-1, the game was resumed to the round of extra time. At this stage, Japan had turned excel thanks to a goal Hajime Hosogai. But South Korea managed to reply via Hwang Jae-won at the last minute.
Score 2-2 to force the winner to be determined by round match on penalties. South Korea's total failure in this round because the three penendangnya failed to carry out their duties. Japan came out as winners with the score 3-0 in the round of penalties.
In the final, Alberto Zaccheroni troops will meet the winner of the match Australia against Uzbekistan. Final held on January 29 next.
Road games
South Korea first threatened to pass a free-kick Ki Sung-yueng in the 16th minute. But the Japanese goalkeeper, Eiji Kawashima, still spry brushed it off.
Japan threatens behind a minute later. Exploiting cross from the left wing, header Shinji Okazaki painstakingly secured by South Korean goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong.
In minute 21, South Korea gain a penalty after Park Ji-sung is violated by Yasuyuki Konno in a restricted area. Sung-yueng advanced as executioner finish the job.
Japan tried to reply in the 29th minute. Acceleration Atsuto Uchida on right wing cross which ended headlong Keisuke Honda. The ball was right leads to the Sung-ryong.
Nippon finally managed to equalize six minutes later. Through a penetration on the left wing, Yuto Nagatomo feed cooked successfully completed by Ryoichi Maeda.
South Korea threatened to back a minute later. Utilizing a long feed from midfield, header Ji Dong Won leads right into the arms of Kawashima.
The first round concludes with opportunities from Honda. Left foot shot CSKA Moscow player was with great difficulty pushed over Sung-ryong.
In the second half, South Korea dominated the game. An opportunity gained Cheol Koo Ja in the 60th minute. But the kick close range only on the side of the goal.
Another opportunity for the State Ginseng came in the 71st minute. Yong Rae Lee's free kick just outside the penalty box was wide.
Japan have the opportunity through Endo kick that can still be secured by Sung-ryong. Similarly, Okazaki shots.
Until the end of normal time, no goal is created. Action must proceed to the round of extra time.
In minute 97, Japan turns to get a penalty. Penalty awarded after Hwang Jae-won drop Okazaki in box 16. Honda penalty execution was successfully pushed over by Sung-ryong, but the ball rebounded successfully struck by Hajime Hosogai. Japan 2, South Korea 1.
Japan likely increased his lead in minute 109. Through a counter-attack, Nagatomo right leg kick from outside the penalty box soar still thin on the ruler.
Five minutes ahead of the end of extra time, a free kick Sung-yueng still thin on the ruler.
The struggle did not know menyarah Korea finally produced results in the last minute extra time round. From a Japanese crisis in the penalty box, kick left foot Jae-won thrilling goal Kawashima.
Because for 120 minutes the game ended 2-2, penalties must be done.
In the round of penalty kicks, South Korea experienced an anticlimax. All three failed their initial executor duties properly. While the Japanese stronghold, only Nagatomo the execution failed. Japan finally end the round with a victory on penalties 3-0 after the execution through the wicket Konno Sung-ryong.
The composition of players:
Japan: Kawashima, Uchida, Iwamasa, Konno, Nagatomo, Endo, Hasebe (Honda 117 '), Okazaki, Honda, Kagawa (Hosogai 87'), Maeda (Inoha 105 ')
South Korea: Jung Sung-ryong, Cha Du-ri, Hwang Jae-won, Cho Yong-hyung (Kim Shin-Wook 98 '), Lee Young-pyo, Ki Sung-yueng, Lee Yong Rae, Lee Chung-yong (Son Heung -min 82 '), Park Ji-sung, Ja Cheol Koo, Ji Dong Won (Hong Jeong Ho 66')
