HANOI, Vietnam, 22 July 2007 — Japan enhanced its bid for a third straight continental title by edging pre-tournament favorite and World Cup nemesis Australia on penalties in yesterday’s quarterfinals.
The defending Asian Cup champions won 4-3 on penalties in Hanoi after the score was locked 1-1 at the end of regulation and two periods of extra time.
Iraq, after three consecutive campaigns ended in the quarterfinals, finally cracked the final four with skipper Younis Mahmoud scoring twice in a 2-0 win over Vietnam — the last of the four co-hosts in contention — at Bangkok.
Gunfire rang out over Baghdad for at least 10 minutes after the game, a rare moment of celebration in the conflict-torn Iraqi capital.
Iraq took the lead in just the second minute, as their two star players combined. A long free-kick by Nashat Akram into the penalty area found Mahmoud unmarked and he glanced a header into the net.
Vietnam, stunned by the early setback, almost conceded a second in the 5th minute when the defense allowed Nashat to stride forward unchallenged, but his long-range shot went just wide.
Vietnam did not manage a shot on target until the 19th minute, as Iraq settled into a comfortable pattern with its defense marshaled professionally by Jasim Mohammed Gholam. Iraq has only conceded one goal from open play in this tournament.
Iraq was forced into an early substitution, with midfielder Haitham Kadhim coming off in the 32nd minute, just after receiving a strong challenge that appeared to injure his right foot.
Vietnam’s only real chance for the match came just before halftime. A break down the left saw the ball cut back to Vu Phong Nguyen, and his on-target shot was blocked by defenders gathering near the goal line.
Phong came close to scoring six minutes into the second half when his curling free-kick from near the corner flag caught Iraqi ‘keeper Noor Sabri off balance, and he was forced to punch clear as the ball threatened to drift into the net.
Iraq doubled its lead in the 65th minute, as a perfectly-hit Mahmoud free-kick curled over the Vietnam wall, beyond the reach of Duong Hong San and into the net.
Mahmoud almost had his hat trick in the 77th minute, as he headed a nicely-weighted Mehdi Karim cross toward the bottom corner of goal, with Duong diving to turn it around the post. Next up could be a semifinal against arch rival Iran, which meets South Korea at Kuala Lumpur today.
In the other quarterfinal, Saudi Arabia takes on Uzbekistan in Jakarta.
Between them, South Korea and Iran won five of the first six Asian Cups — the Iranians winning three in succession from 1968-76.
But neither side has won the championship in the last three decades, when Saudi Arabia and Japan have claimed three titles each. Japan had a lot riding on the Australia match, their first meeting since the Socceroos’ triumphed 3-1 with three late goals in a group match at the last World Cup. That was a big setback for Japanese soccer, and helped Australia into the second round.
But Japan got a measure of revenge against the Socceroos when Yuji Nakazawa calmly slotted the winning penalty.
Led by Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura, Japan was superior this time, creating most of the opportunities and dominating possession — particularly after Australia was reduced to 10 men about 15 minutes from regulation time when Vince Grella was red-carded.
Australia struggled to live up to high expectations here, placing second to Iraq in Group A with a win, a loss and a draw and showing only flickers of the promised dazzle. “The whole of Australia should be very proud of this team, but this has shown the road ahead is going to be very difficult,” Australia coach Graham Arnold said. “In these conditions, to play with 10 men was murder.” The Japanese, by contrast, were dominant in Group B and finished unbeaten with two wins and a draw.
Japan had the best scoring chances during the first half, but failed to convert them into goals.
Almost against the run of play, Australian striker John Aloisi opened the scoring when he connected with a wobbly Harry Kewell corner at the far post in the 69th minute.
The Australian celebrations were short-lived, though, with a defensive error giving Naohiro Takahara possession in front and the Japanese striker firing a powerful shot to beat Mark Schwarzer. Schwarzer was forced into a brilliant save against Nakamura among a run of Japanese shots on goal.
With 120 minutes unable to determine the winner, the match went to a shoot out. Japan coach Ivica Osim went into the locker room, saying he was unable to watch.
“The side who did not play better tend to win a shootout but today Japan were the better side throughout,” Osim said. “Japan could have killed off the match before it went into penalties.”
Two of Australia’s World Cup stars faltered in the shootout, with Harry Kewell and Lucas Neill unable to beat Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi and Japan taking a decisive 2-0 lead.
Takahara missed a chance to seal it for Japan with the shootout poised at 3-2, but Nakazawa made no mistake.
Japan, aiming for a third consecutive title, next faces the winner of Sunday’s quarterfinal between Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan.
