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Asian Cup Final
Japan win forth Asian title

Japan 0 Australai 0 (1-0 aet) (January 29)
Tadanari Lee scored an extra-time winner against Australia to give Japan their 4th Asian Cup. Both teams defended efficiently enough to ensure a goalless first half, but Australia came close 3 minutes after the break when a cross troubled the Japanese keeper and was cleared off the line. Kewell had an excellent chance to break the deadlock when he ran onto his own header to face Kawashima in the 72nd minute but the keeper stuck out a foot to block his effort, and with 3 minutes remaining the Japanese keeper was quick off his line to once again deny the Australian danger man. Kawashima was at full stretch in the 103rd minute keeping out a Robbie Kruse header, but in the 109th minute Nagatomo delivered a delicious cross from the left flank to the unmarked Lee who found the corner of the net with an exquisite volley for his first international goal and Japan's Asian Cup winner.

tadanari lee
Tadanari Lee volleys winner for Japan


Third place
South Korea claim third spot

South Korea 3 Uzbekistan 2 (January 28)
Two goals from Alexander Geynrikh gave Uzbekistan hope, but South Korea held on to finish 3rd and claim a spot in the 2015 Asian Cup. The Koreans played with flare and seemed to be running away with the match as Koo Ja Cheol broke through on a counter attack in the 17th minute to sweep the ball high past Nesterov before some slick passing around the box in the 28th minute lead to Ji Dong Won slotting the ball past the keeper. Ji Dong Won rose high to head powerfully into the top corner in the 39th minute, but Geynrikh slammed his retaken penalty past Jung Sung Ryong a minute before the break and in the 53rd minute skilfully brought an aerial ball under control, trickled his way towards goal and slid it past the keeper to reduce the deficit and regain Uzbekistan some respect.

dong won
Nesterov beaten by Ji Dong Won header

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