DOHA: Extra-time goals from Mao Hosoya and Kotaro Uchino helped Japan dash hosts Qatar’s dream with a 4-2 win at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium at the AFC U23 Asian Cup quarterfinals on Thursday.
Qatar, who were reduced to 10 men, were hoping for a semifinal berth and an Olympic berth after 1992. But that didn’t materialise as a rejuvenated Japanese side overturned the initial deficit to storm into the semis.
To make matters worse, goalkeeper Yousef Abdullah received red card in the 41st minute following a clash with Hosoya. The Qatari was guilty of lashing out at the Japan striker as he leapt to clear a high ball.
Japan has qualified for every Olympic Games since 1996.
Fuki Yamada had put the Japanese in control with a second minute goal after his left-footed shot crashed into the top corner of the goal. But Ahmed Al Rawi levelled with a superb header 22 minutes later and the hosts then shrugged off Abdullah’s expulsion to go in front four minutes into the second half through Jassem Gaber.
Seiji Kimura’s 67th minute header restored parity while Hosoya and Uchino struck late to take their nation into the last four.
