Excellent Kovalenko sees Japan win Asian Games football final

Theatrical diving

The two finalists didn't give Kovalenko a very hard time. Both teams played a very fair game. It wasn't until the 82nd minute before Kovalenko's first caution, a yellow card for a Japanese player. The referee was tested quite a bit during the first half of the game with some apparent offside moments. But Kovalenko and his assistants took the right decision in nearly every situation. The man in black was furthermore challenged by some theatrical diving by Emirati players in search for free kicks and penalties. But he made it quite clear he wouldn't fall for it.

match

The UAE displayed some great skills, their control of the ball and their tricks where wonderful to watch. The Emirati were in command during long stretches of the game, with possession nearing the 60 percent mark. But in the end the Japanese were the first and only team to score a goal. Defender Nagai scored the winner in the 74th minute after an well taken corner. The European-like passing game by the Japanese prevailed over the more artistic but less efficient Emirati style of play.