Japan exorcise demons to reach Asian Cup semi-finals

Yuji Nakazawa blasted in the decisive penalty to lift Japan to a 4-3 shoot-out victory over Australia in an absorbing Asian Cup quarter-final yesterday.

The match finished 1-1 after extra-time following second-half goals from John Aloisi and a rapid Japan response from Naohiro Takahara.

Goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi saved from Harry Kewell and Lucas Neill before Nakazawa smashed home Japan's fifth spot-kick to avenge their 3-1 defeat by the Socceroos at last year's World Cup.

"Penalties are not good for the heart so I left the pitch," Japan coach Ivica Osim told reporters. "I didn't want to collapse and die."

Alaves striker Aloisi had put the Socceroos in front in the 68th minute, pouncing from close range after Japan's defence had failed to deal with Kewell's fizzing low corner.

Japan levelled just three minutes later when Eintracht Frankfurt's Takahara took advantage of sloppy defending to fire a left-foot shot in off the post for his fourth goal of the tournament.

Australia's situation was further complicated when Vince Grella was controversially sent off for catching Takahara in the face with his arm in the 76th minute.

Japan never took full advantage, Celtic's Shunsuke Nakamura going closest to the winner by forcing a superb reflex save from Mark Schwarzer in the last minute of extra-time.

Australia coach Graham Arnold complained that Grella's red card had left his players with too much to do in Hanoi's clinging humidity.

"In these conditions if you play with 10 men it's murder," he said. "It's especially hard against a quality side like Japan. It is always a lottery with penalties."

Japan, bidding to win a third successive Asian Cup title, play the winners of today's game between Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

Other quarter-final result: Iraq vs Vietnam 2-0.