Japan advance to quarters

BANGALORE, Nov 6: A last gasp goal from Kola Aoki sealed Japan's passage to the semifinals of the AFC Youth Championship, after Saudi Arabia had negated an early goal from the Japanese in the quarterfinals on Monday.
Japan's 2-1 victory will not only see them take on arch-rivals South Korea in the semifinals in Kolkata, but also ensures them a ticket to the under-20 FIFA World Cup in Canada next year.
Yosuke Kashiwagi's freekick from the edge of area on the right was headed on target, but Kawahara nonetheless helped it on its way with a faint header.
Even as Japan laid to waste a number of opportunities, the script changed in favour of the Saudis in the second session. Japan were living dangerously and the Saudis came back into contention when Aqeal Alqarni was fouled in the area while attempting to convert a freekick. Skipper Jufain Albishi lashed home from the spot.
However, it was Japan who progressed to the semifinals when Kola Aoki blasted home off a pass from Youske Kashiwagi, only a minute from the end.