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

 

 

 

 

 

HANOI - Malek Maaz helped end Japan hopes of a hat-trick of AFC Asian Cups with the livewire striker bagging a double as Saudi Arabia defeated the defending champions 3-2 in a see-saw semi-final at the My Dinh Stadium on Wednesday.

The Al Ahli forward scored the decisive goal in the 57th minute after the Saudis had twice squandered the lead. Yuji Nakazawa cancelled out Yasser Al Qahtani opener and Yuki Abe acrobatically drew Japan level after his defensive lapse allowed Malek Maaz to regain the Gulf side's advantage.

Japan and Saudi Arabia, both looking to win the competition for a fourth time, stuck with the same starting 11 that began their respective quarter-final victories over Australia and Uzbekistan and it was the defending champions who created the first chance of the match.

Yasuhito Endo and Shunsuke Nakamura exchanged passes at an eighth minute corner before the latter swung the ball into the six-yard area but the Celtic midfielder's cross was punched clear by Yaser Al Mosailem before it could reach the head of Yuji Nakazawa.

The Saudi keeper was called into action again seven minutes later when he blocked at the feet of Seiichiro Maki after Keita Suzuki had threaded the ball through to the JEF United striker.

Saudi Arabia, who had been distinctly second best in the opening exchanges, soon settled and in the 25th minute a shot from skipper Yasser Al Qahtani almost looped in after deflecting off the out-stretched leg of Nakazawa before Japan keeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi palmed away the resulting corner from Abdulrahman Al Qahtani.

The Al Qahtanis were both involved as the Saudis took a 35th minute lead, with Taiseer Al Jassam knocking down Abdulrahman free-kick in to the path of Yasser, who hooked the ball past Kawaguchi.

The Saudis had barely finished celebrating the sniper's fourth goal of the tournament when Japan levelled two minutes later as Nakazawa charged in front of Al Mosailem to head home an Endo corner.

Japan almost stole a second going into the break when Al Mosailem flapped at a Nakamura free-kick but the ball bounced just past the Al Ahli keeper right hand post.

Just two minutes into the second half the Saudis went ahead when Malek Maaz ghosted in between Nakazawa and Yuki Abe to nod in Ahmed Al Bahari pinpoint cross from the right.

But for a second time Japan hit back soon after and for a second time the equaliser came from an Endo corner.

The Gamba Osaka midfielder's 53rd minute flag kick was headed back across the penalty area by Seiichiro Maki and dispatched past Al Mosailem via an acrobatic scissors kick from Abe.

Abe had appeared to atone for his earlier defensive lapse but the Urawa Reds midfielder and Nakazawa were again culpable as the Saudis made it 3-2 four minutes later.

Malek Maaz took possession on the left side of the penalty box and easily skipped past the Japanese duo before unleashing a powerful drive beyond Kawaguchi.

Japan struggled to break down the Saudis but came within a lick of paint to drawing level with nine minutes left to play as substitute Naotake Hanyu, a 75th minute replacement for Endo, sending a thunderous long range drive crashing off the cross bar.

The victory helped the Saudis avenge their 1-0 defeat to the Japanese in the 1992 and 2000 Asian Cup finals and set-up a showdown in Jakarta with Iraq after Jorvan Vieira's side defeated Korea Republic 4-3 on penalties following their goalless draw in the other semi-final played earlier in Kuala Lumpur. at 8:48 AM