Jan. 30: Japan won the Asian Cup for a record fourth time when substitute striker Tadanari Lee struck in extra time for a 1-0 victory over Australia on Saturday. Lee slammed home a left-foot volley in the 109th when he was left completely unmarked 10 metres from Australia’s goal. Lee had all the time in the world to perfectly time his volley from a cross by defender Yuto Nagatoma and fire it past Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.
Lee, celebrating his first goal for Japan, then ran to the center circle and fired a symbolic arrow into the night sky over the Khalifa stadium as a row of small fireworks exploded across the structure arch to celebrate the goal.
“We played the entire tournament with great courage and always sought to impose our game,” said Japan’s Italian coach, Alberto Zaccheroni. “We have a very young team.
“The bench players have made a big contribution, just as Lee did today.” Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda, one of the most enterprising players in the final, was voted the tournament’s most valuable player.
Australia was in its first final since switching from Oceania to Asia in 2006 and also lost to Japan in the quarterfinals on penalties four years ago. It will now have the chance to go for the title when it hosts the tournament in 2015.
After mostly meager crowds during the three-week, 32-game tournament, the Khalifa stadium was nearly full at 37,174 spectators. Both teams had their chances in regulation time but the Socceroos could have clinched it in the first extra period.
Matt McKay had another effort sail high late in the first period of extra time. The defeat meant no major international trophy for Kewell and Tim Cahill, Australia’s best known stars, who were both substituted and saw Japan’s triumph from the bench.