Japan staved off a second-half fightback from China to emerge the AFC U17 Asian Cup champions with a 3-2 win in the final at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium Legends last night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The trophy was lifted for a record-extending fifth time after Japan survived a scare in the second half, with China fighting back from 3-0 down to come within a whisker of pulling off a sensational comeback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China made just one change to the line-up that defeated Australia 2-0 in the semi-finals \u2013 Pan Chaowei replacing Zhao Songyuan – while Japan opted for six from their 3-2 win on penalties against Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Japan made a positive start with Takeshi Wada having the first sight on goal in the fifth minute, drilling a low shot wide from outside the box, before Tafuku Satomi and Maki Kitahara both saw their efforts miss the mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China continued to frustrate Japan with their tight man-marking but Japan almost found a way through in the 21st minute after Qin Ziniu pounced on a loose back pass before releasing Satomi, whose grounded effort went straight into the arms of Chinese goalkeeper Qin Ziniu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The breakthrough finally came a minute after the half-hour mark with Satomi collecting Wada\u2019s pass before cutting into the right side of the box and drilling a low shot into the bottom left corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Japan\u2019s high pressing broke China again in the 42nd minute after Wada collected a loose ball and freed Kakeru Saito inside the box, with the latter beating Qin with a deft touch before slotting home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China PR were again caught in transition in the second minute of stoppage time with Wada setting up Kitahara, who finished with a composed strike into the bottom right corner from just above the area to take his personal tally to six goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China, chasing their first title since 2004, were put under immediate pressure after the restart with Saito finding space inside the box but sent his effort just over the bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, Bin Ukishima\u2019s side refused to give up and reduced the deficit a minute later after Shuai Weihao surged down the right flank before threading the ball to Wang Xiang, who finished with a delicate chip over Japan custodian Kosei Oshita.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chances opened up for China after that with Zhao Songyuan seeing his effort from inside the box blocked just after the hour mark while at the other end, Kitahara almost doubled his tally in the 72nd minute, sending his grounded effort just wide of the left post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China, however, stayed composed and their sustained pressure earned them a penalty in the 77th minute after Anthony Motosuna brought down Zhao Songyuan, who converted the ensuing spot-kick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, a third goal eluded them as Japan held on to seal the win and clinch their fifth title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maki Kitahara lifted the Most Valuable Player and Top Goalscorer awards following a standout campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The midfielder scored Japan’s third in the 3-2 victory over China in the final, taking his tally to six and underlining his status as one of the tournament\u2019s most lethal attacking threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kitahara opened his account with a brace in Japan\u2019s 3-1 win over Qatar in the group stage, striking twice in the second half to seal all three points for his side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Japanese midfielder then added another goal in a crucial 2-1 victory over China, finding the net in the 60th minute after Anthony Motosuna had given Japan the lead in the first half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kitahara continued his prolific form in the knockout stage, scoring twice in Japan\u2019s emphatic 5-0 quarter-final victory over Tajikistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also showed composure under pressure in the semi-final against Uzbekistan, converting his spot-kick in the dramatic 3-2 penalty shootout triumph after the match had ended 1-1 following extra time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He capped his marvelous campaign by scoring the third in the thrilling final victory against China, signalling he is a player to watch in the coming years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kosei Oshita was named the Best Goalkeeper after playing a pivotal role in Japan\u2019s title-winning campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oshita capped off an outstanding tournament with another composed display in the final against China PR, providing the foundation for Japan to lift the coveted title for a record-extending fifth time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oshita was instrumental in Japan\u2019s run to the title, making crucial saves in victories over Qatar and China before keeping a clean sheet in the emphatic 5-0 quarter-final triumph against Tajikistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The goalkeeper then rose to the occasion in the semi-final against Uzbekistan, helping Japan prevail 3-2 in a tense penalty shootout by producing two saves after the contest had ended 1-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oshita then delivered another commendable performance in the final, keeping out Zhao Songyuan\u2019s stoppage-time header to secure Japan the win and the title.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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