GUANGZHOU, Nov 19 Keigi Higashi's 45th-minute goal gave Japan a 1-0 win over Thailand and a spot in the Asian Games semi-finals on Friday where they were joined by fellow regional power South Korea.

The 20-year-old Higashi struck just before half-time, slotting the ball home from close range and past goalkeeper Samuel Cunningham.

Japan, top scorers in the tournament with 14 goals, will now face former champions Iran, who defeated Oman 1-0, in the last four.

Thailand created most of the pressure in the quarter-final clash but were unable to find the finishing touch.

South Korea were forced to extra-time before seeing off 10-man Uzbekistan 3-1 in their quarter-final and will now tackle the United Arab Emirates for a place in the gold medal match.

Hong Jeong-Ho put South Korea in front after just two minutes, but Sherzodbek Karimov pounced on a mistake by left-back Shin Kwang-Hoon in the 71st minute to equalise.

Uzbekistan played the last 30 minutes of the game with 10 men after star striker Ivan Nagaev was sent-off for a second bookable offence.

Monaco's Park Chu-Young, with his third goal of the tournament, restored his team's advantage in the second minute of extra-time with a smart twist and drive which goalkeeper Timur Juraev allowed to squeeze beneath his body.

Kim Bo-Kyung added the third in the 101st minute for an attack-minded South Korean team who peppered the target with 22 shots in the game.

The UAE defeated North Korea 9-8 in a penalty shootout after the two sides had battled to a 0-0 draw after extra-time.

Ri Chol-Myong had his penalty kick saved by Ali Housani in the UAE goal before Mohamed Al Shehhi tucked away his spot-kick to send the Gulf side into the semi-finals.

Results
Quarter-finals

Japan 1Thailand 0
North Korea 0UAE 0
(UAE win 9-8 on penalties)
Iran 1Oman 0
South Korea 3Uzbekistan 1
—AFP