Japan lucky, Qatar hit N Korea for six
ABU DHABI: Genki Haraguchi smashed home a controversial penalty as former champions Japan scraped a 1-0 win over Oman to book their place in the last 16 of the Asian Cup. Earlier, Almoez Ali plundered four goals for Qatar as the 2022 World Cup hosts hit North Korea for six to progress from Group E.
Japan enjoyed their share of good fortune against Oman in Abu Dhabi. Haraguchi clipped the crossbar after just two minutes before Takumi Minamino fluffed a handful of golden opportunities. That profligacy almost came back to haunt the Blue Samurai as Oman flooded forward and Muhsen Al-Ghassani shaved the post from an acute angle. But Haraguchi settled Japan’s nerves in the 28th minute, converting from the spot after he had appeared to go down easily under minimal contact from Oman captain Ahmed Al-Mahaijri.
Oman had extra reason to feel aggrieved when their own penalty claims were waved away just before half-time after Yuto Nagatomo looked to have handled a Salaah Al-Yahyaei drive.
Qatar’s 6-0 romp over North Korea was played out in an almost eery silence in front of barely 300 spectators in Al Ain.
The long-running blockade of Qatar by neighbours who accuse Doha of supporting terrorism largely prohibits Qataris from entering UAE. “The players know this,” said Qatar coach Felix Sanchez. “We don’t have our fans here but we know they’re supporting us.”
Ali took his tally to a tournament-best five with two in each half, completing this Asian Cup’s first hat-trick by dinking the ball over goalkeeper Kim Myong Guk 10 minutes after the interval.