AFC U23 Asian Cup 2024

On Thursday evening, the former Korea Republic international watched his charges deliver on that aim with a stirring quarter-final victory against his native country, as their dream run continued at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.

Afterwards, Shin explained that reaching the last four was an achievement that he had always believed in, as he knew what his charges were capable of having overseen their progress since taking the job in 2019.

Yellow cards for Seiji Kimura and Kuryu Matsuki in the opening 45 minutes prompted Oiwa into a half-time change, withdrawing Matsuki for Shuto Fujio and the former Kashima Antlers boss felt his decision to rejig the line-up could have unsettled his players.

While Japan had taken a second minute lead through Fuki Yamada, Ahmed Al Rawi had levelled the scores before Yousef Abdullah’s 41st minute sending off gave Oiwa’s side a numerical advantage going into the break.

Qatar gave the 2016 winners a scare despite playing much of the game with 10 men following goalkeeper Yousef Abdullah’s 41st minute sending off, only succumbing to extra-time goals from Mao Hosoya and Kotaro Uchida.

A defeat on penalties to tournament debutants Indonesia following a 2-2 draw at the end of extra time meant that the 2020 champions fell short of reaching the last four for a fourth time in six editions, while it also saw them fail to qualify for a 10th straight Olympic Games.

Myung did give credit to his side for coming from behind twice in the tie at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium while finishing the game with 10 men after Lee Young-jun’s 70th-minute red card and refused to fault their efforts.

Pratama Arhan’s decisive spot-kick in a marathon shootout after proceedings had ended 2-2 capped a hard-earned triumph for the tournament debutants, who were pegged back twice in regulation time despite playing with a one-man advantage from the 70th minute onwards.

For Hwang Sun-hong’s charges, who have made the last four on four out of the five previous editions - more than any other team - the defeat ended their hopes of making the Olympic Games for a 12th time.

Hosoya slipped the ball under substitute goalkeeper Ali Korayem to break Qatar’s resistance 11 minutes into extra-time and Uchino added the fourth with seven minutes left as Go Oiwa’s side moved a step closer to claiming the title.

Fuki Yamada had given Japan a second minute lead before Ahmed Al Rawi levelled with a superb header 22 minutes later, the Qataris then shrugging off Yousef Abdullah’s 41st minute red card to go in front four minutes into the second half through Jassem Gaber.

But Seiji Kimura’s 67th minute header restored parity while Hosoya and Uchino struck late to take their nation into the last four as the Japanese seek to maintain their record of qualifying for every Olympic Games since 1996.

Encouraged by his side’s improvement in the past two matches that saw them top Group C ahead of defending champions Saudi Arabia, Shenaishil is ready to assume the favourites tag but admits that a different strategy will be needed to combat Vietnam’s strengths.

The tie is a rematch of the 2022 final, where Saudi Arabia emerged victorious, setting the stage for an intense game with Uzbekistan head coach Timur Kapadze confident of turning the tables after a dominant showing to top Group D.