Qatar goalkeeper sent off in the first half Japan takes advantage of numerical advantage and scores 2 goals in overtime
Japanese players rejoicing
Japan overtook the host country Qatar after a fierce overtime struggle and advanced to the semifinals of the 2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 (Under 23) Asian Cup.
Japan defeated Qatar 4-2 in the quarterfinals of the tournament held at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on the 25th (local time).
Japan, which competed against Korea, China, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Group B of the group stage, advanced to the quarterfinals in second place in the group, beating the home team Qatar and moving one step closer to the finals of the Paris Olympics.
The top three finishers in this competition will receive a direct ticket to the Paris Olympics finals.
The fourth-place team must win the playoffs against Guinea, fourth place in the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, to advance to Paris. Japan will face the winner of the Iraq-Vietnam game in the semifinals.
Japan, with the Paris Olympics in mind, has been running the team under Coach Ko Oiwa for two years with a focus on the ‘growth’ of national team players by age group, and is now only ‘one win away’ from advancing to the tournament finals.
If Japan receives a ticket to Paris this time, it will succeed in advancing to the Olympics for the eighth time in a row.
Japan took the lead with winger Fuki Yamada scoring the first goal just two minutes into the game.
Qatar, which advanced to the quarterfinals by finishing first in Group A, also fought back with Ahmed Allawi’s equalizing goal in the 24th minute of the first half.
However, goalkeeper Yusuf Abdul Baliade was later sent off in the 41st minute of the first half after it was confirmed through video review (VAR) that he kicked opposing striker Mao Hosoya in the abdomen while handling an aerial ball, resulting in an unexpected situation.
Despite being outnumbered, Qatar achieved a 2-1 comeback by using set pieces in extra time in the first half. Jasem Gaber’s headed goal came from a free kick situation.
Japan also brought the game back to square one with Seiji Kimura’s headed goal from a corner kick situation in the 22nd minute of the second half.
Unable to decide the winner within regular time, the two teams entered overtime, where Japan, who had been attacking based on their numerical superiority, ended up scoring two goals.
In the 11th minute of extra time, Hosoya scored the comeback goal and the key goal in the 7th minute of the second half. 섯다