Title defence alive： JAPAN TO THE FINAL! ｜ Japan - Korea Republic ｜ Highlights ｜ AFC U23 Asian Cup

Japan and Korea Republic meet in the semi-finals of the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup. Japan sailed through the group but made hard work of a quarter-final against Jordan. For Korea it was almost the other way round, their knockout win over Australia suggesting they've developed into this tournament. Nagano sends it directly downfield for Michiwaki, lifted it up and over the keeper, couldn't quite hit the target. The accuracy of that pass from Nagano was quite something though, inch perfect for Michiwaki. Free kick Korea from the left-hand side, who will it be to take? It's left initially, Kang will send it into the middle and the head is a good one. Araki had to scramble across, that's by far the closest Korea have come. Kim Jung-hak winning the header, it's been a fairly quiet opening phase. Japan in possession now, lofted out to the right-hand side for Koizumi, great ball, he sends in the delivery and the cross has to be tipped over. Hong Seong-min with the save, was that a cross or was it a shot? Not far off in the end. What can they make of the corner now? It's whipped in from the right-hand side, Nagano's header and there's Koizumi on the rebound. Japan leads, is that another step towards defending their title? Hong with a strong save but Koizumi was first to the loose ball. Japan have found a bit of momentum and they've turned it into the advantage. Ten shots to one in Japan's favour in that first half, you can't say they don't deserve the lead. Neither team really able to take control of the high ball, it'll drop Korea's way. Jang Seok-hwan can push on and he tries one from distance, off the top of the crossbar from way out. Araki had some difficulties, that would have been one of the goals of the tournament. And corner, right-footed, in swinging, punched out towards the edge of the box. Shimamoto will fire it back in, it's off target. Second half starting to come to life now in a game that's still been quite low on chances. Korea with the opportunity to get it into the danger area, it's headed up, will it fall for somebody? Japan struggling to get it clear, there's Kang and Araki comes up with the stop. Good technique from Kang Seong-jin. This is more like it from Korea, they're spending a lot more time on the attack. Time almost up now into the fourth added minutes. Korea looking more likely to find a goal if there is to be another. Kim Tae-hwan, but it's only into the side netting. Japan hold on and they will move on to the final. They weren't at their free-flowing best, but they'll take the win thanks to Koizumi's opportunistic finish. And they have a chance to defend their title in Jeddah on Saturday.