You are here: Home

Wonder goals send Japan and UAE to Asiad soccer final

: 0 Comments Print E-mail Xinhua, November 24, 2010

Adjust font size:

The Asian Games men's soccer finals was to feature western Asian countries against eastern after Japan sealed semifinal victory with a superb solo goal and United Arab Emirates advanced with a last-gasp winner on Tuesday.

Kensuke Nagai, the tournament's top scorer, fired Japan to outscore Iran on the hour mark. Controlling the ball 20m from the target, he showed strength and speed to dribble past three defenders before overtaking the lead to 2-1.

On scoring the match-winning goal, Nagai said it was due to the team's efforts.

"Iran is a very strong team and they put us under a lot of pressure, especially in the first half," said the speedy forward.

"But we worked very well as a team and every one of our players believed in each other." he added.

Iran, who were looking to extend their record of four Asiad title, opened the scoring in the sixth minute.

After conceding their first goal of the tournament, Japan fight back to equalise seven minutes before half-time.

Nagai, who was involved in that equalizer, produced his stunning magic in the 60th minute.

Iran's Ansari Fard put the ball in the net in the 74th minute but was ruled to have been offside.

In the final to be held in one day, Japan will meet UAE after the western Asian side outlast South Korea 1-0 with a last minute shot later on Tuesday.

Both sides failed to score in the regular 90 minutes and looked set for a penalty shoot-out in the ending minute of the pulsating extra time.

Then, UAE launched a final attack and Ahmed Ali Alabry stroke home the winning buzzer sensationally with the very last kick of the match.

South Korea, the favourite leading by two wild card players, failed to end its 24-year gold medal drought. It will play Iran in the bronze medal match also on Thursday.