Doha: Japan had every reason to celebrate after they clinched the AFC U23 Championship at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha on Saturday after substitute Takuma Asano came off the bench to score twice and earn Japan a dramatic come from-behind 3-2 win over Korea Republic in the final.
Japan coach Makoto Teguramori never doubted his team’s ability to fight back and claim the AFC U23 Championship title, even when Korea Republic led by two goals with less than 30 minutes remaining.
Two goals from Asano either side of a Shinya Yajima header inside the final 23 minutes saw the Japanese overturn a two-goal deficit after Kwon Chang-hoon and Jin Seon-guk had given the South Koreans the advantage.
Japan will now join their East Asian neighbours Korea republic and Iraq who beat the hosts, Qatar in the third place play-off at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro later this year.
“I never thought we were completely defeated because I knew if we could control the ball we could endure and still manage the game,” said the former Vegalta Sendai coach.
“I missed the opportunity to get our two forward players into the game, but on the other hand, I was feeling that we were dictating the game in the second half and I knew that we had enough key players who could move us forward. So I was pretty calm.”
Japan were second best for much of the first half, with Kwon putting the South Koreans in front in the 27th minute while, two minutes after the restart, Shin Tae-yong’s side doubled their advantage via Jin.
Asano’s introduction in the 60th minute, however, swung the game in Japan’s favour, with the Sanfrecce Hiroshima man halving the deficit seven minutes later before Yajima levelled the scores with a header into the top corner just a minute later.
The goals gave the Japanese a significant boost and, with just nine minutes to go, Asano ensured the trophy went back to Tokyo when he slotted past Korea Republic keeper Kim Dong-jun.
“It was a really dramatic game and it’s great we won the Asian title,” continued Teguramori.
“I told the players today that we should show everyone our bravery and move the Japanese fans. I’m really glad that we have achieved this objective.
“My plan was to win the game in the second half and for it to end 2-0 since both teams have been playing a lot. Of course there was the thought that anything could happen, but I thought our opponents would slow down and that would be when we would dictate the game.
The Peninsula
