- ARAB NEWS
- 30 Apr 2025
Since 1975
TAIF: Saudi Arabia beat Japan in a dramatic penalty shootout on Sunday to move into the semi-final of the U-17 Asian Cup for the first time since 1992. After 90 minutes of football ended 2-2 in the city of Taif, the young Green Falcons triumphed from the spot.
The shootout ended 3-2 to leave the teenagers celebrating with their home fans and looking forward to Thursday’s last four clash with either South Korea or Tajikistan.
It was a busy start to the game. In just the third minute, Abdulrahman Sufyani had his close-range shot saved and then, from the rebound, curled an attempt that bounced off the crossbar.
Soon after, however, Abubaker Saeed handled in the area and, after a check from VAR, Taiga Seguchi scored from the spot in the ninth minute.
It was a short-lived lead. In the 15th minute, Abdulaziz Al-Fawaz was bundled over in the area and Saeed stepped up to convert the penalty and send the goalkeeper the wrong way.
For Saudi Arabia it got even better eight minutes before the break. The lively Sufyani ran free down the right, cut inside the area and pulled the ball across goal for Sabri Dahal to fire home from close range.
It was all looking good for the West Asian team until Japan equalised with 18 minutes remaining. Daichi Tani’s through ball from the middle dissected the Saudi defence for Hiroto Asada to sprint through and roll the ball past Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi.
Then it all came down to a penalty shootout. Otaibi almost kept out Asada and then Nasser Al-Fihani made it 1-1. Yazeed Al-Dosari did the same with his kick and it was 2-2. Then Otaibi got down quickly to save a low strike from Yuito Kamo but then Thari Saeed saw his attempt kept out.
It was still two each but Shota Fujii hit the bar, giving Saudi Arabia another chance and this time it was taken, oh so coolly, by Maher Tawashi. It meant that Japan had to score their last kick but once again, they hit the woodwork to keep the hosts on course for a first continental title since 1988.
