(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Riki Harakawa rifled home from the edge of the penalty area in the last of three added minutes with extra-time looming after Iraq's Saad Natiq had cancelled out Yuya Kubo's 26th minute opener on the stroke of half-time. And while Teguramori's side secured their place in Saturday's AFC U23 Championship final, Japan also qualified for a sixth consecutive appearance at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro later this year.
"The game was a qualifier for Rio as well as the final, so I am relived we have won," said Teguramori, who introduced Asano in place of goalscorer Kubo with 12 minutes of normal time remaining at the end of the second half at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium. "I was really not willing for extra-time. We managed to score a goal, but then we conceded a goal for Iraq. But in the second half Iraq became offensive so we had to really show restraint and I though it would be an endurance game.
"In the second half we seemed to run out of gas as there was a moment Iraq had control of the game, but this was a good opportunity for the players to endure this. This was a close match and this is a good example for the next stage.
"But at the end of the second half, Iraq may have been thinking about extra-time so we looked to push them towards the goal which was thanks to the substitution of Takuma Asano in the last 15 minutes and we made a tremendous and dramatic second goal."
Teguramori again made full use of his squad as he has done throughout the tournament in Doha by making four changes following last week's quarter-final success over Iran, which included recalls for striker Musashi Suzuki and midfielder Takumi Minamino who created the chances for both goals.
"I have changed the squad throughout the tournament as I would like to make use of all the weapons I have to grow each player," added Teguramori. "After the first game I also saw how the players were tired, while I also looked at the next opponent."
And having posted a fifth consecutive win, Japan will look to complete a perfect campaign in Saturday's final back at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium. "We have not succeeded to become an Asian champion," said Teguramori.
"Also the first team did not become champion in Australia at the Asian Cup so I always talk to the players about becoming an Asian champion."
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.