A 91st minute goal by Maya Yoshida saved three-time champions Japan from a shock defeat at the hands of underdogs Jordan as the two sides drew 1-1 in their opening Asian Cup Group B match Sunday. Hasan Abdel Fattah opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time for Jordan before VVV Venlo defender Yoshida headed home the equaliser as the clock ticked into stoppage time.
Japan, who are looking for a record fourth continental title after losing to Saudi Arabia in the 2007 semi-finals, controlled the game early on but could not penatrate Jordan's determined defence.
In front of half-filled stands at the 12,500-seat Qatar Sports Club Stadium, they had the best of the chances with an angled shot from Borussia Dortmund rookie Shinji Kagawa punched away by Jordan keeper Amer Shafi in the 23rd minute.
Three minutes later, Yoshida found the net on the rebound off a Makoto Hasebe shot but it was ruled offside. Jordan slowly geared themselves into the offensive and almost drew first blood on the half-hour when Fatth trapped the ball in front of the net but his shot went straight into Eiji Kawashima's hands.
Then on 38 minutes defender Basem Fathi's header from a corner swerved off the far post.
Kagawa, who has scored eight Bundesliga goals this season after moving to Germany when he failed to make the World Cup squad, squandered another chance two minutes later when he failed to beat Shafi one-on-one at the goalmouth.
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