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Vietnam 0 Japan 1: Moriyasu's men reach semis as VAR dominates on Asian Cup debut

Japan benefitted from a contentious VAR penalty decision on the system's Asian Cup debut as a 1-0 win over Vietnam proved enough to see Hajime Moriyasu's men reach the semi-finals.

Referee Mohammed Abdulla Hassan originally decided there was no case to answer for Bui Tien Dung's challenge on Ritsu Doan in the area, but the decision was overturned following a review at Al Maktoum Stadium.

Doan dusted himself down to convert the penalty, which proved enough to keep Japan on course for a fifth Asian Cup title.

VAR, being used for the first time in the competition from the quarter-finals onwards, had earlier denied Maya Yoshida a first-half goal, but Japan can now prepare for a last-four contest with either China or Iran after winning by a single goal for the fifth time this tournament.