Japan's goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima gestures after saving the second penalty during the penalty shootout of their 2011 Asian Cup semi-final soccer match against South Korea at Al Gharafa stadium in Doha January 25, 2011. REUTERS

DOHA, Qatar (AP) - Japan survived a last-minute equalizer in extra time Tuesday to reach the Asian Cup final with a 3-0 penalty shootout win over South Korea following a 2-2 draw.

Defender Yasuyuki Konno sent the ball into the roof of the net on the final spot kick to send Japan through, only minutes after South Korea defender Hwang Jae-won had scored to make it 2-2 with less than a minute to go in injury time. Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima stopped two penalties in the shootout.

"It was a very tough, very tight game," Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said. "We were better in the first half, especially on the flanks, and had three big chances _ but we conceded early."

"South Korea outran us in the second half. They are a very good team and winning against a very good team makes it even sweeter."

 

Japan's players celebrate after winning the penalty shootout against South Korea during their 2011 Asian Cup semi-final soccer match at Al Gharafa stadium in Doha January 25, 2011. REUTERS

Japan will play Australia in Saturday's final. Japan is seeking a record fourth title after winning three of the last five tournaments, while Australia, which routed Uzbekistan 6-0, is in its first final.

The two teams were level at 1-1 after 90 minutes but Japan went ahead in the 98th when substitute midfielder Hajime Hosogai followed through to drive the ball into the roof of the net after Keisuke Honda's penalty had been saved.

Hosogai came in late in regulation time to plug some holes in the Japanese midfield, Zaccheroni said, but ended up scoring a key goal. Hosogai had replaced young star Shinji Kagawa in the second half.

Japan earned the questionable penalty when Hwang bumped into Shinji Okazaki at the edge of the penalty box and the Japan forward went down. Saudi Arabian referee Khalil al-Ghamdi appeared to hesitate for a few seconds before pointing at the spot,

"It was quite strange when the referee pointed outside the penalty area and the linesman pointed inside," South Korea coach Cho Kwang-rae said. "It's part of the game and I respect the decision of the referee."

"I believe the people who watched the game on TV have a better idea than me. They saw exact replays. As human beings referees can make mistakes."

 

South Korea's players react during the penalty shootout of their 2011 Asian Cup semi-final soccer match against Japan at Al Gharafa stadium in Doha January 25, 2011. REUTERS

South Korea also got a penalty to go ahead in the match. Captain Park Ji-sung, playing in his 100th international match, earned the penalty when he latched onto a deep cross only to be downed by Konno in the 23rd. Ki Sung-yueng converted from the spot.

Japan equalized with a lightning-fast, brilliantly executed move. Honda sent a perfect through ball to Yuto Nagatomo on the left flank and he crossed low for striker Ryoichi Maeda to knock into the net in the 36th.

The first two South Korean shootout takers, Koo Ja-cheol and Lee Yong-rae, had their shots stopped by Kawashima, while Honda and Okazaki made no mistakes.

Nagatomo then lifted his shot high, but Hong Jeong-ho then drilled his shot wide and Konno secured Japan's victory. Japan lost a penalty shootout against South Korea in the match for third place four years ago.

"I told my players to forget the late goal we conceded and to go into the shootout with confidence," Zaccheroni said.

South Korea has not won the tournament since 1960, when it captured the last of its two consecutive titles.

"First of all, I would like to thank all my players. We were in a difficult situation to play the second extra time in a row," Cho said. "They never gave up and controlled the game, put on pressure and scored the second goal. We showed how strong we are, our fighting spirit and passion to play good football."

Lineups:

Japan: Eiji Kawashima; Daiki Iwamasa, Yasuyuki Konno, Yuto Nagatomo, Atsuto Uchida, Yasuhito Endo, Makoto Hasebe (Takuya Honda, 116), Keisuke Honda, Shinji Kagawa (Hajime Hosogai, 86), Shinji Okazaki, Ryoichi Maeda (Masahiko Inoha, 105).

South Korea: Jung Sungryong; Hwang Jae-won, Cho Yong-Hyung (Kim Shin-wook, 103), Lee Young-pyo, Cha Du-ri, Lee Yong-rae, Park Ji-sung, Koo Ja-cheol, Ki Sung-yueng, Lee Chung-yong (Song Heung-Min, 82), Ji Dong-won (Hong Jeong-ho, 66).