Japan were in total control as they defeated Tajikistan 5-0 while China came from behind to stun Saudi Arabia 3-1 in their respective AFC U17 Asian Cup quarter-final matches at the King Abdullah Sports City.
Japan will face the winners of Saturday’s last eight between Uzbekistan and Korea with Japan seeking a record-extending fifth title.
China’s reward is a last four tie against either Vietnam or Australia, who will square off in their quarter-final later today.
After a cagey start, Tajikistan made the first attempt with Azizjon Shodiev looking to catch Japan custodian Kosei Oshita out from some 35 yards out in the sixth minute but got his connection wrong, sending the ball well wide.
Japan’s chances in the opening period were limited to shots from outside the box with Kazato Kimura firing straight at Abubakr Rahmonqulov before Tafuku Satomi twisted away from Asadbek Makhtumov, only to send his effort wide.
The East Asian side went closer in the 25th minute, Maki Kitahara’s corner delivery found Kakeru Saito, whose near-post flick was well read by Rahmonqulov.
Japan finally got the reward for their dominance in the 42nd minute when Sora Iwatsuchi played a superb through ball for Kitahara to smash a low shot into the bottom corner.
Japan continued to impose their game on Tajikistan after the break with Saito outmuscling Hikmatullo Kabirov in the box in the 53rd minute but from a tight angle, skewed his shot off target.
Kabirov’s day got worse just a minute later when, in his desperate attempt to stop a Japan attack, was sent off for a high foot challenge on Sosuke Hoshi.
Taking advantage of their numerical superiority, Japan extended their advantage on the hour mark, with Kitahara dancing into the box and sending a low shot beyond Rahmonqulov.
Saito was next to get in on the act, giving Maktoum Alidodov the slip inside the box to slide home Rekuto Shiraogawa’s cross from the left flank to make it 3-0 to Japan.
Another Shiraogawa delivery from the left picked out Satomi at the far post in the 79th minute to sidefoot in before a third assist presented Eito Takaki with a simple tap-in in the 90th minute to seal an impressive 5-0 Japan win.
China stun Saudi
Both teams jostled for early control but it was China who almost went ahead in the 11th minute after Zhang Xuyao latched onto Zhou Yunuo’s layoff, only for the Shandong Taishan FC defender to fire just wide of the left post.
Abdullah Al Mas was put under pressure moments later with Zhao Songyuan testing the Saudi Arabia goalkeeper from distance before Wan Xiang came close a minute later with his effort from 35 yards out.
However, Saudi Arabia’s patience was finally rewarded in the 21st minute when Ammar Maimani drove into the box on the left before slipping a neat through ball for Faisal Bayomi to convert from close range.
Saudi Arabia’s lead lasted only six minutes as Kuang Zhaolei found Wan Xiang inside the box, with the Red Star Belgrade midfielder turning past his marker before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner.
Both teams continued pushing hard with Faris Bu Shaqraa seeing his close-range effort go wide of the left post in the 31st minute while Abdullah Al Batli’s long-range effort sailed over the bar.
The momentum shifted in favour of China after the break with Al Mas parrying Shuai Weihao’s powerful drive from inside the area in the 51st minute before denying the forward from close range, with Zhao Songyuan then seeing his headed attempt sail over the bar.
China’s aggression paid off eight minutes later with He Sifan nodding a cross into the path of Zhao Songyuan, who reacted quickest inside the six-yard-box to finish past the onrushing Al Mas from close range.
Saudi Arabia upped their tempo in search of the equaliser with Zaid Al Buri seeing his attempt from inside the box saved, while Yahya Saeed and Jawad Al Hashim both failed to find the target with five minutes left in the tie.
That was to cost the hosts as China saved their best for stoppage time, with He Sifan dribbling past two players before unleashing a powerful drive from distance which saw the ball hitting the underside of the bar before crossing the line to break Saudi Arabia’s hearts.
