Japanese player Rikarudo Higa (right) celebrates after his goal with Kenichiro Kogure (left), Photo by AFC/Noriko Hayakusa

OSAKA: Hosts and defending champions Japan overcame spirited ASEAN powerhouse Thailand 9-6 in a thrilling AFC Futsal Championship quarterfinal to make it to the last four stage here on Thursday. This game had everything – two disallowed goals, five yellow cards, one red card, but overwhelmingly, a litany of positives for futsal in Asia in light of this spine tingling extravaganza from two sides intent on delivering upon the inherent aesthetic appeal of the five-a-side game.

Thailand led twice, Japan twice came from behind, but ultimately a classy quintet from Kenichiro Kogure combined with Rikarudo Higa’s rare brace and singles from Daisuke Ono and Takayuka Suzumura saw the host nation home after two early goals from Thailand captain Panuwat Janta were added to by Panomkorn Saisorn’s hat trick and Joe Nueangkord.

Janta’s early double, either side of Higa’s first strike in the 9th minute, exposed Japan’s vulnerabilities unlike any side has been able to at the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium in recent days.

Although, as they have done with consistency at Asia’s premier annual futsal meet for the past eight years, Japan underlined their quality with a comeback that only they are capable of to down a spirited opponent deserving of much more than this quarter final elimination.

“We knew that this would be a difficult game and my players responded very well,” said Japan coach Sapo after the match.

“Yesterday at training, we practised our reaction to Thailand’s set pieces and power plays and I was impressed with how we executed this today.

“We did make a few mistakes, but the important thing is that we won.”

Pointedly, Japan thrived under the intense pressure Thailand had to offer throughout a frantic final stanza, out scoring their opponents by one goal despite Thai coach Piemkum Pattaya opting to play the entire half with his ‘keeper advanced as far as the attacking third.

Indeed, two of Japan’s second half strikes came from speculative long-range efforts that rolled into an empty goal mouth.

Earlier, Thailand was left to lament calamitous consequences that resulted from two key turning points of the game.

In the 15th minute with the scoreboard reading 2-1 in favour of the visitors, Thai goal scorer Saisorn lost not only his footing, but his right shoe near the touchline.

Hurriedly looking for a substitution, Saisorn lost his marker and within seconds, Japanese lynchpin Kogure walked the ball into the net to draw Japan level.

At the similar stage of the second period, key Thai player Lertchai Issarasuwipakorn was sent from the field after receiving his second booking for a seemingly innocuous challenge on Japan captain Kenta Fujii.

From the resultant free kick, Japan extended their lead to three goals – a margin they maintained right through to the full time whistle.

“It was a good game and it was a good experience,” said Thailand coach Pattaya.

“Next year will be more crucial for us, as it is a World Cup qualifying year, but this tournament has been a very good test for us.

“Of course were are a little disappointed, but I’m happy with the way that we played, we made one or two mistakes, but I think we are coming and closer and closer to the standards that Japan has set.”

Japan will tomorrow face central Asian nation and Group C winners Kyrgyzstan in the semi finals at the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium.