man Japan twice came from behind to battle past host Qatar and reach the Asian Cup semifinals Friday, where it is joined by a history-making Uzbekistan. Defender Masahiko Inoha was the hero of the day for Japan, which is chasing its fourth continental crown, snatching a dramatic 3-2 winner in the 90th minute to leave the host heartbroken. “I knew it would be a difficult match and it was a very difficult match,” said Japan's Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni, whose side will take on Iran or East Asian arch-rival South Korea for a place in the final. Zaccheroni added: “With 10 men, we were one man short, but we still had more possession. “That our defender scored the winning goal demonstrated what Japanese football is about.” Qatar's French coach Bruno Metsu was proud despite failing to steer the 2022 World Cup host to its first-ever Asian Cup semifinal. “The players really caused problems for Japan. Not everyone can do that. It's the best performance they've given,” said Metsu. “The team put in a very good performance, tactically and physically, and showed a great image of football in Qatar. “The players are disappointed, some of them cried. To lose a match like that is cruel, but that's part of the game.” Sebastian Suria's 12th-minute opener for Qatar was canceled out by Shinji Kagawa, who drew Japan level again with 20 minutes to go after Fabio Cesar's free-kick had crept inside Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima's near post. Japan defender Maya Yoshida was harshly dismissed after receiving a second yellow card in the incident that led to the free-kick, but with the arena set for extra time, Inoha struck a decisive last-gasp blow. In the later game, Uzbekistan looked to be sailing after striker Ulugbek Bakaev netted a quick-fire second-half brace to put the Central Asians 2-0 up against surprise package Jordan and on its way to a maiden semifinal. But the Uzbeks were left to weather several nervy moments after Bashar Bani Yaseen struck from close range shortly before the hour to set up a grandstand finish. Uzbek coach Vadim Abramov, whose team will take on Australia or Iraq in the semis, said he told his team to come out in the second half and attack. “At half-time I told them that in the first five minutes they must be strong. I told them to attack as soon as they went out and we got two goals,” he said. Abramov made five changes to the side that drew 2-2 with China in its last game, including picking Bakaev. Jordan, meanwhile, was burdened by a slew of injuries, with Odai Al-Saify, Hatem Aqel and Anas Bani Yaseen all ruled out. Jordan coach Adnan Hamad said he was proud of his tired team. Former CSKA Moscow man Bakaev got his first 60 seconds after the start of the second half when he beat the offside trap to meet a free-kick from captain Server Djeparov and head past Jordan goalkeeper Amer Shafi. Jordan was caught napping again just minutes later when Bakaev darted in front of a defender to prod the ball home after a low cross from the left flank. – Agence France
