UAE Stuns Japan on Penalty Shootout in Asian Cup
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The United Arab Emirates defeated titleholder Japan 5-4 on the penalty shootout after their quarter-final finished 1-1 after extra time on Friday.
Ali Ahmed Mabkhout scored in the seventh minute to give the Emirati football team a lead but with nine minutes left, Japan’s Gaku Shibasaki pulled level.
On the penalty shootout, after Japan's Shinji Kagawa missed the first sudden-death spot kick, defender Ismail Ahmed convert the decisive penalty to send his team into a last four.
The UAE, who suffered a late defeat to Iran in group stage, will face host Australia on Tuesday.
The winner of that semi-final in Newcastle will meet Iraq or South Korea to decide the continental champions back at Stadium Australia on Jan. 31.