Japan lifts record fourth Asian Cup
Source: Agencies |
January 31, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SUBSTITUTE Tadanari Lee struck a stunning left-foot volley in the second period of extra time to give Japan a 1-0 win over Australia and a record fourth Asian Cup title on Saturday.
Lee was afforded the freedom of the penalty area in the 109th minute to fire in a Yuto Nagatomo cross from the left as the Blue Samurai sealed victory at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
"We played the entire tournament with great courage and always sought to impose our game," Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said.
"We have a very young team. The bench players have made a big contribution, just as Lee did today."
Japan enjoyed long periods of possession on a windy, chilly night but Australia, seeking a first Asian Cup title, had the better chances with striker Harry Kewell proving wasteful in front of goal.
The Japanese were confident on the ball throughout yet played at a pedestrian pace. A higher tempo would perhaps have been more suitable against Australia's more experienced but slower side.
Without the influential Shinji Kagawa, who broke his foot in the semifinal, Japan selected Jungo Fujimoto as a replacement. The midfielder, however, was ineffectual as the Blue Samurai failed to create many clear first-half openings.
Australia started the second period well and came close to taking the lead in the 48th minute when keeper Eiji Kawashima misjudged a center that hit the crossbar and then Tim Cahill on the arm before Maya Yoshida hacked the ball off the line.
Japan, which also played 120 minutes in its semifinal penalty shootout victory over South Korea on Tuesday, tired in the extra period as it went in search of a fourth Asian Cup after victories in 1992, 2000 and 2004.
The technical brilliance of Lee's goal was of no surprise as Japan's youthful squad continually proved its ability on the ball throughout an unbeaten run in Doha. The identity of the scorer, though, may have raised a few eyebrows.
Lee, 25, was making just his second appearance for the Blue Samurai, after coming off the bench to make his debut in its opening Group B stoppage-time draw with Jordan.
He trotted on to the field in the 98th minute on Saturday to replace the tired-looking Ryoichi Maeda.
"The substitute players like Lee are always waiting for their chance and he got his big chance tonight," defender Maya Yoshida said.
The Tokyo-born striker, who has South Korean heritage and trained with their youth teams before pledging his future to Japan, was pleased with his efforts. "I am proud of this game. I'm not Korean, I'm not Japanese, I'm a footballer," Lee said.
"One lapse of concentration, perhaps one moment of fatigue in extra time, has gifted them a goal," said a dejected Australia captain Lucas Neill.
"At this level if you don't take your chances and you give your opponents one and they take it, that will be the difference."
Lee was afforded the freedom of the penalty area in the 109th minute to fire in a Yuto Nagatomo cross from the left as the Blue Samurai sealed victory at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
"We played the entire tournament with great courage and always sought to impose our game," Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said.
"We have a very young team. The bench players have made a big contribution, just as Lee did today."
Japan enjoyed long periods of possession on a windy, chilly night but Australia, seeking a first Asian Cup title, had the better chances with striker Harry Kewell proving wasteful in front of goal.
The Japanese were confident on the ball throughout yet played at a pedestrian pace. A higher tempo would perhaps have been more suitable against Australia's more experienced but slower side.
Without the influential Shinji Kagawa, who broke his foot in the semifinal, Japan selected Jungo Fujimoto as a replacement. The midfielder, however, was ineffectual as the Blue Samurai failed to create many clear first-half openings.
Australia started the second period well and came close to taking the lead in the 48th minute when keeper Eiji Kawashima misjudged a center that hit the crossbar and then Tim Cahill on the arm before Maya Yoshida hacked the ball off the line.
Japan, which also played 120 minutes in its semifinal penalty shootout victory over South Korea on Tuesday, tired in the extra period as it went in search of a fourth Asian Cup after victories in 1992, 2000 and 2004.
The technical brilliance of Lee's goal was of no surprise as Japan's youthful squad continually proved its ability on the ball throughout an unbeaten run in Doha. The identity of the scorer, though, may have raised a few eyebrows.
Lee, 25, was making just his second appearance for the Blue Samurai, after coming off the bench to make his debut in its opening Group B stoppage-time draw with Jordan.
He trotted on to the field in the 98th minute on Saturday to replace the tired-looking Ryoichi Maeda.
"The substitute players like Lee are always waiting for their chance and he got his big chance tonight," defender Maya Yoshida said.
The Tokyo-born striker, who has South Korean heritage and trained with their youth teams before pledging his future to Japan, was pleased with his efforts. "I am proud of this game. I'm not Korean, I'm not Japanese, I'm a footballer," Lee said.
"One lapse of concentration, perhaps one moment of fatigue in extra time, has gifted them a goal," said a dejected Australia captain Lucas Neill.
"At this level if you don't take your chances and you give your opponents one and they take it, that will be the difference."
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