Japan beats S Korea 2-1 to win East Asian Cup

Japan's national soccer team players and coaches celebrate their winning the East Asian Cup soccer championship in Seoul July 28, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

SEOUL -- Yoichiro Kakitani's injury-time goal helped Japan edge host South Korea 2-1 on Sunday to claim the four-nation East Asian Cup title.

In the last match of the soccer tournament, South Korea dominated the ball in the first half, but Japan scored first in the 24th minute from 23-year-old forward Kakitani who made a solo run.

South Korea, who conceded two goalless tie with Australia and China before, opened scoring and tied the score on 32 minutes. Yun Il-Lok accomplished give-and-go with Lee Seung-Gi and brilliantly struck the ball into the top right corner.

At the end of the balancing second half, Kakitani banged home a rebound in the box to seal the win.

Japan were crowned in the East Asian Cup for the first time with two wins and a tie. China finished second with one win and two ties. South Korea stood third with two ties and a loss. Australia got the fourth with one tie and two losses.