Japan hails coach after Cup glory

TOKYO - Japan praised Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni after a sleepless night on Sunday, saying his shrewd and timely use of squad players helped the Blue Samurai lift a record fourth Asian Cup.

Hundreds of fans celebrated in the streets of Tokyo's all-night hub, Shibuya, after extra-time substitute Tadanari Lee scored a 109th-minute goal, powering Japan to a 1-0 win over Australia in the final in Doha.

"Nippon! Nippon!" they chanted, some of them waving red-sun Japanese flags, after the match ended at about 2:30 am on Sunday (Japan time). Sports bars and public halls in big cities across the country were filled with fans watching the match live on television.