Arab News Japan

Japan are on course to make their eighth straight appearance in the Paris Olympics after they knocked out hosts Qatar 4-2 after extra-time in the Under-23 Asian Cup quarterfinals on Thursday night.

Fuki Yamada scored early for Japan but Ahmed Al-Rawi and Jassem Gaber netted to put Qatar ahead.

Seiji Kimura made it 2-2 midway through the second half and after the tie went into extra-time, Mao Hosoya put Japan ahead once more and Kotaro Uchino scored after 113 minutes to secure the win for Japan.

Meanwhile, South Korea will miss the men’s soccer tournament at the Olympics for the first time since 1984 after losing a penalty shootout to Indonesia.

The top three teams will qualify for the Paris Games, and Indonesia reached the last four by winning the shootout 11-10 after the score remained tied 2-2 through extra time.

Later on Friday, defending champions Saudi Arabia face Uzbekistan, while Iraq meet Vietnam.

The team that finishes fourth will face Guinea in a playoff in May with a place in Paris at stake.