Japan Marches into Asian Cup Final with Victory over China

Japan march into Asian Cup final with victory over China

Favourites Japan came from behind to advance to the final of the Asian Cup in Beirut Thursday with a 3-2 victory over China.

An own goal from Chinese captain Fan Zhiyi and second-half efforts from Akinori Nishizawa and Tomokazu Myojin set up a Japan showdown with Saudi Arabia in Sunday's final.

China gave the Japanese a scare however, levelling through Qi Hong in the first-half and taking a 2-1 lead through Yang Chen in the 49th minute before Japan fought back for the win.

Saudi Arabia defeated South Korea 2-1 in Thursday's earlier semi-final at Beirut's Sports City Stadium.