Japan won the AFC Under-23 championship with a thrilling 3-2 victory, overturning a two-goal deficit against South Korea here Saturday. The winner came in the 81st minute from substitute Takuma Asano, with a smart finish. Asano had started the comeback, scoring Japan's first in the 67th minute, after it trailed 2-0 early on in the second half. Within a minute of Asano's first, Japan was level after Yajima struck. It was heartbreaking for the Koreans who had taken the lead in the 23rd minute, thanks to a deflected shot from Kwon Chang-hoon. Then a brilliant turn and finish by Jin Seong-uk in the 47th minute doubled its advantage, but the match proved far from over. Both teams qualified for the Rio Olympics later this year after getting through to the final of the two-week long championship held in Qatar. Iraq finished third and was the other team to qualify for Rio. Host Qatar agonizingly finished in fourth position, just outside the Olympics qualification places. Chelsea signs USA defender Miazga Chelsea have signed United States defender Matt Miazga from New York Red Bulls, the English Premier League champions announced on Saturday. Miazga agreed a four and a half year contract with the west London club as they look to the future at their problematic centre-back position. With John Terry in the twilight of his career and Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma both prone to inconsistent form, Chelsea's defence has been far from impregnable and Miazga could provide the answer if he continues his rapid development. "I am very happy to sign for Chelsea, a world-famous club with a reputation for major success," Miazga told Chelsea's website. "I am delighted to be in the Premier League, the best league in the world, and can't wait to meet my team-mates and get going. "I am still at the beginning of my career but I believe this is the place to develop and learn from some of the best players in the world." The New Jersey-born 20-year-old joined the Red Bulls Academy in 2009 and made his debut for the Major League Soccer outfit aged 18. In the 2015 season, he helped the Red Bulls finish with the best regular season record in North America as they advanced to the Conference Finals. Miazga made his debut for the US national team in November having represented his country at Under-20 and Under-23 level. — Agencies
