Japan beat South Korea on penalties to reach final

Wednesday, 26 January 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

DOHA (Reuters) -- Japan booked a place in the Asian Cup final when they overcame South Korea 3-0 on penalties after a 120th minute extra time strike completed a 2-2 draw at the Al Gharafa Stadium on Tuesday.

Three-times champions Japan will play the winners of Tuesday’s second semi-final between Uzbekistan and Australia at the Khalifa Stadium (1625GMT) in the final on Saturday.

Substitute Hajime Hosogai thought he had won the match for Japan after he powered home a rebound after Korean goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong had saved Keisuke Honda’s tame penalty in the 97th minute at the Al Gharafa Stadium.

But Hwang Jae-won scored in the final minute of extra time to force the shootout after the Korean defender lashed home after a goalmouth scramble.

Earlier, Ki Sung-yueng put the twice champions ahead from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute before Ryoichi Maeda equalised for Japan after a fantastic move 13 minutes later.

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