China, Japan to clash in Asia Cup final

Beijing:

A goal by Keiji Tamada three minutes into the first half of extra-time proved the difference as defending champions Japan held off Bahrain 4-3 to advance to the final of the 2004 Asian Cup on Tuesday. Reduced to ten men after a sending off just before half-time, Japan scored four goals to bring a dramatic end to Bahrain's magical run in the tournament. Japan will meet China in the final after the hosts beat Iran five-four on penalties after their match ended 1-1. Chinese keeper Liu Yunfei denied Iran's Yahya Golmohammadi to clinch a dramatic victory for China as a raucous home crowd in Beijing celebrated. The final is scheduled for Sunday and promises to be a tense affair. Chinese fans have booed Japan throughout the tournament, an expression of continuing Chinese resentment over Japan's brutal World War II occupation of their country. (AP)