Hull seal place in Asia Trophy final

Hull City sealed a place in the Asia Trophy final after beating hosts Beijing Guoan in a dramatic penalty shoot out at the Workers’ Stadium Wednesday.

Hull won 5-4 on penalties after the teams drew 1-1 after full-time and will play Tottenham Hotspur in the final.

Brazilian midfielder Deiberson Geovanni scored an early opener for the Premier League club but the battling hosts cancelled out the score early in the second half via a goal from William Paul Modibo.

The goal wobbled Hull and the hosts found a new sense of purpose on their home turf.

Hull manager Phil Brown looked on nervously from the dugout as his transfer frustrations became all too evident, with his side lacking potency in midfield and attack against what was supposed to be a mediocre Chinese side.

Cheered on by the raucous crowd, Beijing Guoan made Hull chase shadows with superior passing.

On several occasions Hull could only pack their penalty box as Beijing looked to create an upset against the Premier League stars.

Beijing Guoan striker Guo Hui came close to clinching a winner on the 81st minute when he shot across the face of the Hull goal only to clip the post.

Five minutes later and Hull goalkeeper Matthew Duke tipped the ball over after a near post attempt as again Hull struggled to clear their lines.

Moments later Emil Martinez could have sealed the match for Beijing but his six yard drive was easily saved by the Hull keeper.

Instead both teams faced a penalty shoot out to decide which side would face Spurs in Friday’s final, with Hull holding their nerve to win 5-4 in sudden death after Beijing’s Zhang Xinxin blazed his spot kick over the bar.

Beijing will take on West Ham United in the play-off for third place.