Korea beat Japan to hand China East Asian title

South Korea overpowered fierce rivals Japan 3-1 in a tempestuous game of two red cards on Sunday to leave China as surprise East Asian championship winners.

By (Reuters)

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Sun 14 Feb 2010, 6:25 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 4:06 AM

The Chinese beat Hong Kong 2-0 earlier in the day to leave hosts Japan needing to beat South Korea by three goals to win the title outright.

There was no love lost in a bruising clash between the World Cup-bound Japanese and Koreans, who finished as runners-up while Japan were booed off the pitch.

Yasuhito Endo put Japan ahead from the spot in the 22nd minute before Lee Dong-gook blasted home another penalty to level 11 minutes later and silence the crowd of 43,000.

Strike partner Lee Seung-yeoul gave the Koreans the lead after 39 minutes with a fierce shot from 30 metres and midfielder Kim Jae-sung curled in a superb third in the 70th minute.

Japan defender Tulio was shown red for elbowing Cho Yong-hyung just before haltime while Korea captain Kim Jung-woo walked after a second bookable offence in the 52nd minute.


More news from