Zaccheroni pleased he kept the faith

Alberto Zaccheroni believes his faith in Eiji Kawashima was repaid in Japan’s Asian Cup penalty shootout win over South Korea.

Goalkeeper Kawashima came in for criticism after an uncertain performance in Japan’s 3-2 quarter-final victory over Qatar.

But Zaccheroni continued to back his man and was duly rewarded with an improved display in Tuesday’s thrilling semi-final.

With the sides unable to be separated at 2-2 after extra-time, the Lierse SK custodian saved two penalties and saw another struck wide of the goal to send Japan through to the final of the Asian Football Confederation’s elite competition, where they will face Australia.

Afterwards, Zaccheroni made it clear that although he never lost confidence in Kawashima, his heroics in the shootout were somewhat surprising.

“There are no goalkeepers who do not make mistakes, they do not exist,” Zaccheroni said.

“A couple of days ago I told Kawashima I trust him very much. I told him that again today and throughout the game he performed much better than I expected.”

Korea struck first through a Ki Sung-yong penalty 23 minutes into the match at Doha’s Al Gharafa Stadium, but Ryoichi Maeda levelled soon afterwards.

Hajime Hosogai then put Japan ahead seven minutes into the additional 30 minutes and they looked on course to win the tie, but Hwang Jae-Won equalised in the last minute of extra-time to send the match to penalties.

“It was a very tight match,” Zaccheroni said.

“Looking at the first half we were better than them, especially with our attacking and combination play.”

“In the second half, Korea were better than us, especially because they pushed us with their physical ability. They could run more than us as well.”

“In the penalties I told the players to forget the goal we conceded at the end. I told them to have the confidence to take the penalty shoot-out and win.”

Despite ending up on the losing side, South Korea coach Cho Kwang-rae was proud of his players’ commitment to the cause.

“They never gave up and pressured the opponent until the last minute of the match and were able to score a second before the full time to take the game to penalties,” Cho said.

“We had spent some time preparing for penalties in previous training sessions but I think the players may have been too tired and that is maybe why we were not successful.”

“But the players all impressed me with their never-give-up attitude. I think they have shown the entire world that Korean football has a great future.”

Japan meet Australia in the final on Saturday.