Japan's Keisuke Honda looks on during their Asian Cup quarter-final soccer match against UAE at the Stadium Australia in Sydney January 23, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

The UAE goal was under almost permanent siege but a combination of stout defending and misfiring Japan forwards kept the underdogs ahead until Shibasaki lashed the ball into the net from the edge of the area after a one-two with Keisuke Honda.

Having been handed a lifeline, Japan looked determined to finish the tie in normal time but continued to waste a string of chances and the profligacy continued into a strangely passionless extra half an hour.

Honda sent the opening spot kick high over the bar but Khamis Esmaeel the same with the the UAE's third penalty and the shootout went to sudden death.