GUANGZHOU, Nov 23: Japan will meet the United Arab Emirates in the Asian Games football final after the unheralded Gulf side knocked out South Korea with the last kick of extra-time in their semi-final.

South Korea had wasted the best opportunities of the game, and they were made to pay when centre-forward Ahmed Al Abry slotted the ball past substitute goalkeeper Lee Bum-Young.

Penalty specialist Lee had replaced starter Kim Seung-Gyu just moments earlier with Korea expecting the game to be decided by a shootout.

But it is the UAE, who have never appeared in an Asiad final, who go on to Thursday's gold medal decider against Japan who came from a goal down to beat four-time champions Iran 2-1.

South Korea had the best of the early chances and UAE keeper Ali Housani needlessly put his side under pressure when he opted to punch rather than catch a teasing cross. But Hong Jeong-Ho was off target with his long-range response.

Japan, meanwhile, inched closer to their dream of winning a first Asian Games football gold medal by coming from behind to beat Iran.

Results: Semi-finals: Iran 1    Japan 2 South Korea 0    UAE 1 —AFP