JAKARTA: earned a stunning 2-0 victory over Japan in their U-19 AFC Asian Cup semifinal on Thursday, and Khalid Abdullah Al-Atawi’s side will now face South Korea in Sunday’s final.
The victory was particularly impressive given the Young Falcons managed to do what no other side in the tournament had been able to do in keeping a clean sheet against a Japanese side that had scored 15 goals in their four previous matches.
’s goals came in the first half, with Khalid Al-Ghannam’s effort just before the break following an earlier own goal by Japan goalkeeper Tomoya Wakahara.
— who had never beaten Japan at the U-19 Championship previously — forced their opponents into an unfamiliar role of chasing the ball from kick-off.
As the game came to a close, and with Japan desperately defending their title, the individual brilliance of Takefusa Kubo gave the “Blue Samurai” hope, but the goals never came, meaning Al-Atawi’s side have the chance to make history against the Koreans this weekend.
’s Young Falcons earn stunning victory over Japan in AFC U-19 semifinal
Updated 01 November 2018
’s Young Falcons earn stunning victory over Japan in AFC U-19 semifinal
- Khalid Abdullah Al-Atawi’s side will now face South Korea in Sunday’s final
- had never beaten Japan at U-19 Championship previously
