Japan will go through to the 2019 Asian Cup knockout phase as Group F winners after coming from behind to beat closest challengers Uzbekistan 2-1, Tsukasa Shiotani's stunning strike sealing the turnaround.
The two teams went into Thursday's clash level on six points and, although Hector Cuper's men took the lead with a great goal of their own, Japan rallied and did just about enough to take the spoils and win the group.
All of the drama in the first half came in the last five minutes, as Eldor Shomurodov opened the scoring with a smart finish at the end of a brilliant solo run, only for Yoshinori Muto to level soon after – the Newcastle United forward's first goal for club or country since netting against Manchester United in October.
Japan started the second half well, and after seeing a couple of chances go begging, they went ahead in style – Shiotani's superb 25-yard strike flying into the top-right corner.
