Japan won the AFC U-19 Championship title for the first time in the country’s history on Sunday as Atsushi Uchiyama’s side defeated Saudi Arabia 5-3 on penalties at the Bahrain National Stadium.

    Koki Ogawa scored the deciding penalty in the final round of spot kicks after Abdullah Magrshi thumped his effort over the bar in the preceding round after 90 minutes of regulation time plus an additional 30 minutes ended goalless.

    The win brings to an end a run of seven appearances in the final without a win in the continental championship for the Japanese, who will travel to the FIFA U-20 World Cup next year in Korea Republic alongside Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Vietnam as Asia’s representatives. Korea Republic will also play as tournament hosts.

    The Saudis started with the same line-up that handed the Islamic Republic of Iran a 6-5 defeat in the semi-finals while Japan coach Uchiyama made wholesale changes from the team that brushed aside Vietnam, with only midfielder Mizuki Ichimaru surviving.

    Japan came into the game having not conceded a goal throughout either qualifying or during the finals and Uchiyama’s side were facing a Saudi Arabia that had the most potent attack of tournament, netting 16 goals in the five matches leading up to the final.

Source: QNA