Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: As this month's draw for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup's third and final qualifying round edges ever nearer, join the-afc.com as we rewind to the competition’s 2011 edition and Japan’s capture of a record fourth continental crown.
When Japan’s Tadanari Lee pounced to score the winner against Australia in the AFC Asian Cup 2011 Qatar final, the Samurai Blue striker ensured a slice of history not only for himself, but for his country as well.
Prior to the continental get-together in Qatar, Japan had, along with Iran and Saudi Arabia, shared the honour of being the most successful side in Asian Cup history, each nation having won the tournament on three occasions. All that was about to change.
Lee’s extra time strike against the resilient Socceroos underlined the fact that Japan were indeed Asia‘s rising power, and sealed a record fourth regional triumph for Alberto Zaccheroni’s men following back-to-back wins in 2000 and 2004, as well as their inaugural success in 1992.
Not that Japan had it all their own way in Qatar.
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