Japan took a big step towards the Paris Olympic men's soccer tournament with a 4-2 extra-time victory over Qatar in the quarterfinals of the U-23 Asian Cup on Thursday.
Mao Hosoya and Kotaro Uchino scored in extra time after a 90-minute 2-2 stalemate at Doha's Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, before goalkeeper Youssef Abdullah was shown a red card in the 41st minute and the hosts ended the game. One person less.
Japan's Mao Hosoya (right) scores a goal in the first half of extra time in the Under-23 Asian Cup Men's Soccer Quarterfinal against Qatar on April 25, 2024 in Doha, Qatar. (joint) == joint
With Qatar's top three teams qualifying for the Paris Games, Coach Tsuyoshi Oiwa's team needs one more win to help Japan qualify for their eighth consecutive Olympics.
Despite playing in the man's favor for much of the match, Japan had to fight back from underneath the goal against a stubborn Qatari team backed by a raucous home crowd.
Oiwa said, “It was a little difficult for us, but we were able to concentrate on the game and improve.''
Japan took the lead just one minute into the match, as Fuki Yamada intercepted the opponent's backpass and fired it into the top corner of the goal from outside the area.
Oiwa's side appeared to be in control until Qatari forward Ahmed Al Rawi rose high and sent a header past goalkeeper Rei Kokubo and into Japan's goal.
Qatari players react to their defeat in the U-23 Asian Cup quarter-finals at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on April 25, 2024, and Japanese forward Mao Hosoya celebrates with his teammates. 19). (Kyodo News)
Hosoya missed a chance to regain the lead, but Adullah was sent off for kicking Kashiwa Reysol forward in an attempt to get the ball. However, Qatar defied the adversity and took a 2-1 lead from the start of the match, scoring again in the 49th minute with a great header, this time from midfielder Jassem Gaber.
Japan increased their pressure, and in the 67th minute Seiji Kimura scored the equalizing goal from a corner kick to break through.
The East Asian team had several chances to settle the match before regulation time, but they were unable to break the deadlock until Hosoya scored the winning goal in the 101st minute from a through ball from Ryotaro Araki. Eleven minutes later, Uchino scored after substitute goalkeeper Ali Koraiem deflected a shot from Sota Kawasaki.
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