Defender Yuki Saneto's fierce shot delivered Japan's first-ever men's soccer gold medal at the Asian Games after his side defeated United Arab Emirates 1-0 on Thursday night.

The right back drove home with a powerful strike into the far corner in the 74th minute. And UAE had to settle for their first-ever medal in the tournament being silver.

Both sides created few clear chances in the first half. UAE had the best opportunity in the 34th minute when Omar Abdulrahman Al Amoudi found a sharp space but several Japanese defenders threw themselves in to foil the attack.

After Japan opened the scoring, UAE tried desperately to get back into the game but failed to beat Japan's resolute defence, which had conceded only once in Guangzhou.

Goalkeeper Housani even joined the UAE attack for one final set-piece but it was to no avail and Japan took home the gold for the first time at the Asiad stage.

(Xinhua News Agency November 26, 2010)