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| Monday, 9 August 2004 |
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Hand of Nakata gives Japan Asia Cup Defending champions Japan shattered China's dream of a first ever Asian Cup final victory Saturday, striking the killer blow with a controversial goal to down the host nation 3-1 in a hostile atmosphere. In a pressure-cooker Workers' Stadium jammed with 66,000 fans, Japan rode a wave of intimidation dished out by Chinese fans bristling at Japan's wartime past to keep their hands on the silverware. Japan sealed the game on a highly controversial 65th minute goal with replays showing Koji Nakata clearly scooped the ball into the net with his right hand after latching onto a Shunsuje Nakamura corner. China loudly appealed the decision but Kuwaiti referee Saad Kameel stood firm. "From the beginning to the end the team was very cool headed, both in their tactics and their fighting spirit, especially in the second half. We fought to the end," said Japan's Brazilian coach Zico. "I'm very happy we won the championship. Since the beginning of the tournament the fans have supported our opponents so I think as a team we did really well to overcome the situation. "This proved we are very strong mentally." Japan had taken the lead courtesy of another dubious decision in the 22nd minute when Kameel gave a freekick on the edge of the Chinese area for a foul. With China missing injured captain and defensive lynchpin Li Weifeng, Nakamura crossed deep to Takayuki Suzuki who nodded it back onto the head of Takashi Fukunishi who made no mistake from close range. As the crowd roared them on China launched into the attack and drew level nine minutes later when Li Ming capitalised on some nifty footwork by Yan Song down the left. Yan rounded two defenders before laying the ball off to Li who slotted it home from the edge of the box. But Keiji Tamada rubbed salt into Chinese wounds one minute into second half injury time when he dribbled past keeper Liu Yunfei to make certain China will have to wait another four years to lift the trophy. Angry Chinese coach Arie Haan questioned all three goals, and refused to accept his runners up medal, saying he was "not ready". "The first goal, the foul should have been for us. The second goal - the hand ball, and the third was a foul on Sun Jihai," he said. "I feel very disappointed. I feel sorry for the beautiful and good fans of China. We should have won. The difference between the two teams was experience." Asian Football Confederation (AFC) general secretary Peter Velappan said Haan needed to show more respect. "As the national coach of China, he should demonstrate more of a sporting spirit and be a good sporting loser," he said. "To not receive his medal is an act of disrespect to the Chinese national team and to the AFC. He must learn to respect that China lost to a better Japanese team." |
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