HANOI — Ivica Osim was left to lament a lack of invention among his star players after Japan's bid for a third-straight Asian Cup title ended with a 3-2 semifinal defeat to Saudi Arabia.
A tired Japan twice battled back from a goal deficit Wednesday through central defenders Yuji Nakazawa and Yuki Abe, but an opener from Yasser Al Qahtani and two brilliant second-half goals from Malek Maaz sent the Saudis through to Sunday's final against Iraq.
Osim said the team's fatigue played a factor in the loss.
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