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HANOI - Yuji Nakazawa blasted in the decisive penalty to give holders Japan a 4-3 shootout victory over Australia in an absorbing Asian Cup quarter-final on Saturday (local time).
A match many had thought would be the final finished 1-1 after extra time following a second-half goal by John Aloisi and a rapid Japan response from Naohiro Takahara.
Goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi saved from Harry Kewell and Lucas Neill before Nakazawa smashed home Japan's fifth spot-kick to avenge their 3-1 defeat by the Socceroos at the 2006 World Cup.
"Penalties are not good for the heart so I left the pitch," Japan coach Ivica Osim told reporters. "I didn't want to collapse and die. I also didn't want to jinx my team by staying to watch."
Alaves striker Aloisi had put the Socceroos in front in the 68th minute, pouncing from close range after Japan's defence had failed to deal with Kewell's fizzing low corner.
Japan struck back three minutes later when Eintracht Frankfurt's Takahara capitalised on some sloppy defending to fire a left-footed shot in off the post for his fourth goal of the tournament.
Australia's situation was further complicated when Vince Grella was controversially sent off for catching Takahara in the face with his arm in the 76th minute.
Japan never took full advantage, Celtic's Shunsuke Nakamura going closest to the winner by forcing a superb reflex save from Mark Schwarzer in the last minute of extra time.
Nakazawa's successful spot kick triggered wild celebrations from the Japan players.
"I hit it really hard," Nakazawa told Reuters. "There's nothing wrong with my heart. I didn't feel pressure. Yoshikatsu saved two so he's the real hero."
Takahara told Reuters he had forced Australia defender Mark Milligan into the mistake that led to Japan's equaliser.
"I faked to swing at the ball and he took his eye off it," said Takahara, who was responsible for Japan's only miss of the penalty shootout.
"That's probably where experience comes in. It feels good to beat Australia because it's a rivalry that looks like running for some time."
Australia coach Graham Arnold complained that Grella's red card had left his players with too much to do in Hanoi's clinging humidity.
"In these conditions if you play with 10 men it's murder," he said. "It's especially hard against a quality side like Japan. It is always a lottery with penalties."
Japan, bidding to win a third successive Asian Cup title, play the winners of Sunday's game between Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
- REUTERS
