Football: Japan advance to Asian Cup semi-finals after beating Vietnam 1-0

Japan advanced to the AFC Asian Cup semi-finals after beating Vietnam 1-0 on Thursday, in a match that saw the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) being called into action twice at the Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai. This is the first Asian Cup tournament that VAR has been utilised, and was introduced from the quarter-final stage. VAR was called into play in the 24th minute when Southampton centre back Maya Yoshida's goal was ruled out for a handball. VAR was then used again in the second half, this time to the benefit of Japan when Vietnam's Bui Tien Dung was ruled to have brought down Ritsu Doan and a penalty was awarded. Doan converted the spot-kick and Japan will next face the winners between Iran and China in the Asian Cup semi-final in Al Ain on Monday (28th January).