Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Riki Harakawa scored a 93rd minute winner as Japan secured a place in the final of the AFC U23 Championship and qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games after snatching a dramatic 2-1 win over Iraq in Tuesday’s semi-final at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.
Yuya Kubo had given Japan a 26th minute lead only for Saad Natiq to head home an equaliser for Iraq two minutes before half-time.
But with extra-time looming, Harakawa rifled home from the edge of the penalty area as Japan ended a two-game losing streak against Iraq, who can still qualify for Brazil later this year via Friday’s third place play-off.
Japan coach Makoto Teguramori made four changes from the quarter-final success over Iran, notably the recall of both striker Musashi Suzuki and midfielder Takumi Minamino, while Iraq counterpart Shahad Abdulghani brought in Saad Natiq and Amjed Hussein following last week’s last eight victory over the United Arab Emirates.
And both sides showed plenty of attacking intent at the start of an open contest, although the game lacked a clear-cut chance.
But that changed after 26 minutes as Suzuki raced down the left touchline after winning possession just inside his own half before sending a low cross across the six yard area for a sliding Kubo to give Iraq goalkeeper Fahad Talib no chance.
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Japan should have added a second through Suzuki just three minutes later, but after beating the Iraq offside trap to turn onto Minamino’s through ball on the edge of the penalty area, the striker curled his effort wide with the goal at his mercy and only Talib to beat.
And just two minutes before half-time Iraq equalised as Natiq headed home from the edge of the six yard area at the second time of asking after Japan goalkeeper Masatoshi Kushibiki had first unconvincingly dealt with a Hussein corner and initial close range header from the Iraq centre-back.
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Iraq maintained the pressure at the start of the second half as Amjad Attwan Kadhim’s drilled rising strike from just outside the edge of the penalty area was helped over the crossbar courtesy of an outstretched hand from Kushibiki.
But with extra-time looming after both sides had struggled for quality in the final third, Harakawa rifled home from the edge of the penalty area after Minamino’s cross had been cleared.