HANOI - Saudi Arabia's thrilling 3-2 semi-final win over defending champions Japan on Wednesday was the perfect riposte to those that have claimed the Green Falcons have been flying on luck according to head coach Helios dos Anjos.

"One thing that I have heard throughout this tournament is that we have been lucky," said the Brazilian, who is one match away from leading the Saudis to their fourth Asian Cup success.

"Luck might happen in one game but not in every game and tonight we have answered the people that have said we have been lucky."

The Saudis showed commendable resilience to record their first ever AFC Asian Cup victory over Japan after Ivica Osim's side had twice equalised shortly after Dos Anjos men had went ahead on two occasions.

Yasser Al Qahtani's 35th minute goal gave the Saudis the lead, which lasted just two minutes as defender Yuji Nakazawa headed the back-to-back champions back on level terms.

Malek Maaz took advantage of some slack defending from Nakazawa and Yuki Abe to restore his side's advantage just two minutes after the interval but Abe redeemed himself in the 53rd minute with a superb volley that should have give Japan the initiative.

However, Malek skipped past Nakazawa with alarming ease as the man of the match fired home the winner in the 57th minute.

"Tonight we saw a very tough game and one of the best in the tournament so far," beamed dos Anjos.

"I am very happy with the victory because it was over one of the best teams in the continent, especially when they have possession of the ball."

Dos Anjos, who is coaching outside of his homeland for the first time, was equally pleased with the contribution of his backroom staff, as his boys from Brazil made sure the Saudi players were in peak condition for the tournament.

"We told the (Saudi Arabian) federation that I would bring the best fitness and medical staff from Gremio club in Brazil and even though we had less time to prepare for this match and trouble travelling from Jakarta tonight was the fruit of their labour."
The 49-year-old, who took over the Saudi Arabian managerial reigns from compatriot Marcos Paqueta in March, must next test his tactical mettle against another Brazilian, after Jorvan Vieira's Iraq ousted Korea Republic 4-3 on penalties to set up an all-Arab final.

"Today was a victory for Arabian football, especially for Iraq because everyone knows what is happening there. These victories will bring happiness to the people of Iraq and of Saudi Arabia.

"It is nice also that while the two finalists are from the Arab school they are both being coached by Brazilians." Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 8:39 PM