Holders Japan storm into Asian Cup quarters

HANOI, July 16 (Reuters) Holders Japan stormed into the Asian Cup quarter-finals with a ruthless 4-1 demolition of co-hosts Vietnam today.

But Vietnam, appearing in the tournament for the first time in 47 years, joined Japan in the last eight after Qatar lost 2-1 to United Arab Emirates in the other Group B game.

''I'm still not satisfied,'' Japan coach Ivica Osim told reporters. ''If I was satisfied then I might as well just quit as coach.'' A Keita Suzuki own goal after just seven minutes triggered riotous celebration among a crowd of 40,000 in Hanoi but it took Japan just five minutes to restore normal service.

Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura found space on the left to float over a perfect cross for Seiichiro Maki, who had the simple task of chesting the ball into an open goal.

Yasuhito Endo put Japan ahead just after the half hour, rifling a free kick into the top corner from the edge of the box to briefly silence Vietnam's trumpet-blowing fans.

Nakamura added a third seven minutes into the second half with a superb right-foot strike before Maki headed in his second from close range in the 59th minute.

''That was a good time to score,'' Maki told Reuters.

''Shunsuke's pass over was so good it was no room for me to miss it. You feel a responsibility to score as a striker.'' When news of UAE's win over Qatar in Ho Chi Minh filtered through, Hanoi's My Dinh stadium erupted in a deafening roar as Vietnamese fans celebrated wildly.

''It's a sensation,'' Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl told reporters.

''Nobody expected us to be in the quarter-finals.

It's the first time Vietnam's history.

''I'm extremely proud of my players and maybe Vietnam will surprise again.'' Japan, bidding for a third straight title, finished top of Group B on seven points with Vietnam runners-up on four. UAE were third on three points with Qatar on two.

The Asian champions play the runners-up in Group A in the quarter-finals in Hanoi while Vietnam travel to Bangkok to face the winners.

The final Group A games were taking place later today.

in the Thai capital.

REUTERS BJR VC1938