Tomiyasu’s header sends Japan into Asian Cup quarterfinals

Sharjah, Jan. 21 (IANS): Defender Takehiro Tomiyasu on Monday scored Japan’s 1-0 winner over Saudi Arabia in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup last-16 encounter held at the Sharjah Stadium here, leading his side to make it through to the quarterfinals.

Tomiyasu scored the match’s only goal in the 20th minute when he sent a header from the centre of the box to the bottom-left corner off a cross from teammate Gaku Shibasaki following a corner kick, reports Efe news.

Next in the last-eight round Japan will take on Vietnam, who knocked Jordan out on Sunday on a penalty shootout (4-2) following a 1-1 draw.

Japan, thus, extended its undefeated run in the Asian Cup tourney since the 2011 edition held in Qatar to 14 matches, having won 11 and tied in three, according to the AFC official website.