Japan win marathon penalty shootout to set up South Korea gold-medal clash
NAGOYA: Hosts Japan will play reigning champions South Korea for Asian Games men’s football gold after winning a nail-biting semi-final 9-8 on penalties against Uzbekistan on Wednesday.
NAGOYA: The hosts Japan will face reigning champions South Korea for the Asian Games men's football gold following a thrilling semi-final 9-8 penalty shootout victory over Uzbekistan on Wednesday. Japan took the lead after Sena Ishibashi scored a dramatic equalizer with two minutes remaining in regular time, sending the match into extra time.
Uzbekistan managed to hold on through the additional period, forcing the contest into a penalty shootout. Japan prevailed in the shootout, causing jubilant celebrations and tears among some of the young Uzbek players. Asian Games men's football features under-23 squads with three overage players. In the first semi-final, South Korea defeated China 2-1 with Bae Jun-ho scoring the decisive 82nd-minute goal at Nagai Stadium.
South Korea's coach, Lee Min-sung, expressed satisfaction with his team's comeback despite conceding early. Meanwhile, China's men's team, making their first semi-final appearance since 1998, faced history when they took the lead on 22 minutes. China's goalkeeper Li Hao failed to prevent North Korea's Bae's winning header, leaving China to face Uzbekistan in the bronze medal match.
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