Japan’s pursuit of 5th Asian Cup title intact

Bahrain out, Mancini apologizes

DOHA, Qatar, Jan 31, (AP): Japan maintained its pursuit of a record-extending fifth Asian Cup title on Wednesday by advancing to the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win against Bahrain.

The pre-tournament favorite has bounced back from a surprise 2-1 loss against Iraq in the group stage and will play either Iran or Syria in the next round.

Goals from Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo and Ayase Ueda secured Japan’s place in the last eight, while Zion Suzuki’s own goal was the only consolation for Bahrain.

Bahrain had advanced as the winner of Group E ahead of another of the pre-tournament favorites, South Korea. It may have considered itself unfortunate, then, to face four-time champion Japan in the round of 16, which finished runner-up in Group D.

Japan went ahead in the 31st minute when Seiya Maikuma’s longrange shot came back off the post and Doan converted on the rebound.

Kubo doubled the lead four minutes into the second half when he spun and finished from close range.

Bahrain was given hope of a comeback in the 64th as Sayed Baqer’s powerful header was parried into the air by Suzuki. The Japan goalkeeper then tried to catch the ball, but collided with Ayase, who was attempting to head clear off the goal-line and the ball was fumbled into the net.

Ayase restored Japan’s two-goal advantage eight minutes later when firing low at the near post to beat Bahrain keeper Ebrahim Lutfalla.

SOCCER

Saudi Arabia coach Roberto Mancini apologized for walking off before the end of his team’s losing penalty shootout against South Korea.Mancini turned and headed to the locker room without watching Hwang Hee-chan convert the decisive kick that saw South Korea advance to the quarterfinals 4-2 on penalties and set up a clash with Australia on Friday.

“I apologize for this because I thought it was finished,” Mancini said. “I didn’t want to (disrespect) anyone.

“I want to say thank you to all my players for what they did. They are improved a lot.”

Mancini, who won the European Championship as Italy coach in 2021, watched his team relinquish a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute of stoppage time when Cho Gue-sung headed in an equalizer.

With the score still level after extra time at Education City Stadium, South Korea goalkeeper Jo Hyeonwoo went on to save penalties from Sami Al Naji and Abdulrahman Ghareeb.

“I am very sad because when you lose a penalty shootout, when you concede a goal in the last minute ... because I don’t understand 10 minutes extra (stoppage) time,” Mancini said. “But I am happy because as a team we improved a lot, some players improved a lot, we worked one month together and this was really important. Now we are a team.”

The Kuwaiti Sporty Academy team celebrates after winning the championship title at the conclusion of the Sixth International Friendship Football Championship held recently in the Emirates. During the tournament, the organizers arranged a closed training camp and orchestrated a series of matches involving teams from both Emirati and Kuwaiti academies. Notable participants included the Sporty Club Academy, featuring two teams, and the Hattrick Academy, represented by two teams from the Emirates. Additionally, the Kuwaiti Sporty Club fielded two teams in the competition.

Japan’s Ayase Ueda is challenged by Bahrain’s Waleed Alhayam, rear, during the Asian Cup Round of 16 soccer match between Bahrain and Japan, at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar. (AP)