Midfield maestro Riki Harakawa scored a 93rd minute winner to not only secure Japan a place in the final of the AFC U23 Championship, but also qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games after snatching a dramatic 2-1 win over Iraq.
Yuya Kubo had given Japan a 26th minute lead only for Saad Natiq to head home an equaliser for the Middle Eastern side moments before the interval.
With both teams keen to avoid extra time it was Harakawa who stepped up to rifle home a goal from 16 yards. Iraq will now regroup quickly as they can still qualify for Brazil later this year via Friday’s third place play-off.
Japan coach Makoto Teguramori made four changes from the quarter-final success over Iran, with striker Musashi Suzuki and midfielder Takumi Minamino the most notable recalls, while Iraq boss Shahad Abdulghani brought in in Saad Natiq following last week’s win over the United Arab Emirates.
Suzuki was the catalyst for the game’s opening goal when the Japanese down the left touchline sending a low cross across the six yard area for Kubo to give Iraq goalkeeper Fahad Talib no chance.
Japan should have added a second through Suzuki just three minutes later, but the striker rushed his shot and curled it wide in a one-on-one situation with Talib.
Iraq made Suzuki pay for the mistake moments later when they Natiq headed home from the edge of the six yard area.
Japan U-23 factbox
The Iraqis maintained the pressure through Amjad Attwan Kadhim’s strike from just outside the edge of the penalty area was just touched wide by goalkeeper Kushibiki.
But with extra-time looming and fatigue clearly setting in on the young legs, Harakawa fired home from the edge of the penalty area after Minamino’s cross had been cleared.
