JEDDAH, 26 July 2007 — Saudi Arabia downed two-time defending champions Japan 3-2 in the semifinal yesterday and set up an all-Arab final against Iraq in the 2007 Asian Cup football tournament in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Iraq reached their first final in the competition by beating South Korea in a penalty shootout 4-3 after their thrilling semifinal match in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ended goalless after extra time. The young but physically strong and quick Saudi team travel back to Jakarta, Indonesia for the final match on Sunday against the Iraqis whose amazing run in this championship helped unite a nation wracked by sectarian violence.
For Saudi coach Brazilian Helio dos Anjos, who revamped the squad after taking over from fellow Brazilian Marcos Paqueta in March, the victory was a vindication of sorts after self-appointed experts back home criticized him for the slow start to the tournament.
He said his counterattack tactics worked well against Japan.
“I’m very happy with the victory because Japan is one of the best teams in the continent,” the 49-year-old Brazilian said.
“Japan is not easy to play with, they have a lot of brilliant players,” he said. “We had to play counterattack because we have two very good strikers.” Anjos said he hoped to defeat Iraq in Jakarta on Sunday.
“I hope they (our players) can bring the cup back to Saudi Arabia,” he said adding that the final game will “help to bring peace and happiness” to war-torn Iraq.
In Jeddah, fans who were unable to fly to Hanoi gathered in friends’ homes, in coffee shops and restaurants to follow the game that was aired from 4:20 p.m. Reservations at many restaurants have been made as early as 2-3 p.m. Mini Saudi flags decorated the restaurants and boys in green jerseys and girls in green scarves roamed the area. Ahmed Al-Salih was one such fan that went with his children to watch the game at Fuddruckers restaurant here. “Its Wednesday and there is nothing else better to do than spend some quality time with the children cheering for the national team. We were thrilled to see Iraq’s victory and even more delighted that Saudi made it to the finals. These young boys earned it very well and pleased us.” For reaching the final, each member of the Saudi national team will get a cash bonus of $100,000. This is on top of the earlier financial rewards of $15,000, $30,000 and $60,000 for winning the preliminaries against Indonesia and Bahrain and the quarterfinal against Uzbekistan.
Malek Muaz scored twice to help the Kingdom overcome Japan in the match that became a virtual shootfest after the icebreaker.
In a meeting between two sides that have won every Asian Cup title since 1984 between them, Saudi Arabia clung on against sustained late Japan pressure to book a place in the final for the first time since 1996.
The loss ended a run of 16 consecutive undefeated games for Japan in this tournament, dating back to the 1996 quarterfinals.
Striker Yasser Al-Qahtani opened the score for the Green Falcons in the 35th minute. Abdulrahman Al-Qahtani fired a freekick into the penalty area and the Al-Hilal striker was first to react to the loose ball, volleying home from 11 meters.
The lead lasted just two minutes, with central defender Yuji Nakazawa equalizing for Japan with a powerful header from Yasuhito Endo’s corner. Muaz put the Saudis back in front two minutes after the break. Ahmed Al-Bahri broke to the right and made a quick cross to the near post where Malek leapt to get his head to the ball before defenders.
Again Japan struck back quickly, making it 2-2 in the 53rd minute.
A well-worked set piece saw Endo’s corner floated to the back post where Naohiro Takahara nodded it back across the mouth of goal, where Yuki Abe’s scissor-kicked home.
Malek sealed the victory for the Saudis in the 57th minute with a sublime goal. He wrongfooted two Japanese defenders as he moved into the penalty area, and shot powerfully past goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi with an angled shot.
Takahara almost pulled Japan level soon after with a firm shot that sailed just wide, and then with four minutes of regulation time remaining, substitute Naotake Hanyu rattled the crossbar with a powerful shot from 25 meters. Japan coach Ivica Osim cited his players squandering too many good chances for the loss.
“There are a lot of problems that Japanese team needs to improve in the future,” the Bosnian coach said. “We had more chances to score, but we could not turn them into goals.” Noor Sabri was Iraq’s hero when he saved Korea’s fourth spot-kick from Yeom Ki-hun. After Ahmed Mnajed had made it 4-3 to the West Asians, Korean Kim Jung-woo hit the post to send the Iraqi players into raptures. It was the vanquished side’s second penalty shootout in four days, having overcome Iran 4-2 in Sunday’s quarterfinal after another goalless 120 minutes.
$25,000 MVP Award
Meanwhile, ING, official sponsor of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup announced that as part of its sponsorship agreement, it would award $25,000 to the Most Valuable Player in the tournament. The MVP award is being given in memory of Abdullah Al-Dabal, the late AFC Executive Committee member from Saudi Arabia who passed away in January this year. The award is a tribute to Al-Dabal’s achievements and commitment to Asian football.
The AFC Technical Study Group will pick the winner of the MVP prize. Japanese Shunsuke Nakamura was the MVP in the 2004 tournament.
Fans too can vote for their MVP of the competition on www.ing-afc.com. Fans who vote for the player with the most votes will have their names entered into a draw, which will take place on Aug. 6. The winner will win an 18K gold football worth $2,500.
— With input from agencies
