Japan started on the offensive and had Korea Republic desperately defending as early as the third minute when Ryunosuke Sato had his shot from outside the area blocked following a set-piece situation, while Kazunari Kita flashed his headed attempt across the face of the goal moments later.

Korea Republic gradually settled and almost found a way through in the 21st minute after Bae Hyun-Seo’s defence splitting pass sent Ha Jeong-woo clear on goal, but Japanese custodian Rui Araki made a sharp save to deny the Seongnam FC forward.

Japan continued to dominate with Kosei Ogura forcing Kim Min-soo into making a finger-tip save in the 26th minute but the Korea Republic keeper then misjudged Hisatsugu Ishii’s cross two minutes later, allowing Soma Kanda to score off the rebound from close range.

Kita could have doubled Japan’s advantage in the 35th minute but the Kyoto Sanga defender mishit his shot while at the other end, Ha saw his header palmed away by Araki four minutes later.

Despite chasing a deficit, Korea Republic started the second half on the backfoot after Japan’s high-pressing game saw Yuto Ozeki strike his set-piece against the Korean wall before sending the ball high off his second attempt.

With the clock winding down, Korea Republic sprang into action with substitute Kim Tae-won finishing off Shin Sung’s pass from inside the box to slot the ball into the bottom corner in the first minute of added time to force the draw.