Japan edged passed defending champions Iraq 2-1 in second half stoppage time to secure a place in the final of the AFC U23 Championships in Qatar. The Samurai Blue has midfielder Riki Harakawa to thank, who struck on the 93^rd minute winner to ensure that Japan qualified for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero. 

The opening of the match was a tense affair, with little chances in the early exchanges. That all changed in the 26^th minute when Japan opened the scoring through Yuya Kubo. The Young Boys striker made no mistake from close range latching onto an inch perfect cross from Musashi Suzuki.  The powerful finish was no match for Iraqi stopper Fahad Talib.

Japan could have quickly doubled their lead just two minutes later. The mercurial Suzuki did manage to beat the Iraq offside trap, however his curled effort just went just wide.

Iraq slowly found their way back into the tie and grabbed a vital equalizer just two minutes before half-time. Defender Natiq headed in from the six yard box as Japan failed to clear their lines from the initial corner.

In the second half, Iraq maintained their dominance however they couldn’t make it count in the final third. On the third minute of stoppage time Riki Harakawa calmly controlled a Fahad Talib clearance, stroking the ball past a host of Iraqi defenders giving the Japanese a last gasp winner. The Kawasaki Frontale midfielder was mobbed by his team-mates as the Samari Blue confirmed their place in the AFC U23 Championships final.

Japan will now wait on the winner of the Qatar & South Korea to play in the final of the AFC U23 Championships on Saturday evening.