By Yoon Chul
South Korea lost to Japan at the end of penalty shootout in the Asian Cup semifinal, Wednesday (KST).
The two Asian football powerhouses, Korea and Japan drew 2-2 but Japan grabbed the 3-0 penalty shootout win in Doha, Qatar.
The first goal came from Korean side.
While captain Park Ji-sung tried to collect the long pass in the penalty box Japanese defender Yasuyuki Konno’s push called the ball to the spot and Ki Sung-yueng netted in 23rd minute for a 1-0 lead.
Japan, however, erased the Korea’s lead in 36th minute.
Yuto Nagamoto penetrated into the left corner and his pass linked to Ryoichi Maeda’s shoot for a 1-1.
As the winner wasn’t decided in 90 minutes the game was extended and Japan acquired the penalty chance in 97th.
Korean goal keeper Jung Sung-ryong blocked Keisuke Honda’s penalty shot but the dashed Hajime Hosogai scored for a 2-1 lead.
Korea, which seemed to end their run in the Asian Cup, tied the game thanks to defender Hwang Jae-won’s rifle in 120th minute, the last minute of extended game, but the Taeguk Warriors lost to in penalty shootout as Japanese goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima denied Koreans’ first two shots.