2000 AFC Asian Cup Final

The match kicked off at 16:00 local time in Beirut at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium,[6] in front of an announced attendance of 49,500 spectators.[1] In the 10th minute of play, Japanese midfielder Shigeyoshi Mochizuki fouled opposing midfielder Talal Al-Meshal in the box; however, Saudi Arabian striker Hamzah Idris missed the subsequent penalty.[1] The Japanese side came close to scoring twice, with two attacking opportunities by striker Naohiro Takahara, before Mochikuzi scored from close range after a free kick by Shunsuke Nakamura from the left.[1] In the 42nd minute Japan had an opportunity to double the lead after Nakamura hit the crossbar.[1]

In the second half of the game, Saudi Arabia responded with their own attacking play, moving the momentum in their favour.[1] Substitute Mohammad Al-Shalhoub and midfielder Nawaf Al-Temyat both missed from long range, before Al-Shalhoub forced Japanese goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi to produce a "spectacular" save in the 59th minute.[1] Five minutes later, Kawaguchi saved a header from Al-Meshal.[1] Japan's attacking occasions in the second half came from counterattacks.[1]

On the 82nd minute Japanese striker Atsushi Yanagisawa was subbed on, before being subbed off only seven minutes later; Philippe Troussier, Japan's manager, stated: "[Yanagisawa] didn't do what I asked him to".[1] Noted as the "best save of the match", in the 87th minute Kawaguchi dove to his right to save a 25-meter shot by Nawaf Al-Temyat.[1] The match ended 1–0 to Japan, and Kawaguchi was awarded Man of the Match.[1]