DOHA, Qatar — Japan won the Asian Cup for a record fourth time Saturday, defeating Australia 1-0 on a goal by substitute Tadanari Lee in extra time.
Lee scored on a left-footed volley in the 109th minute. He was left unmarked from 10 yards out and beat Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.
Australia was playing in its first final since switching from soccer's Oceania region to Asia in 2006. Four years ago, it lost to Japan in the quarterfinals on penalty kicks.
Qatar has been awarded the 2022 World Cup, and the Asian Cup was the wealthy Gulf nation's first rehearsal for soccer's showcase tournament.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter attended the final and sat on one side of Asian Football Confederation President Mohamed bin Hammam, a Qatari who may challenge Blatter for the presidency of soccer's governing body. Michael Platini, president of European soccer's ruling group, sat on the other side of Bin Hammam.
After mostly meager crowds during the three-week, 32-game tournament, Khalifa Stadium was nearly full, with 37,174 fans.
Thousands of ticket-holders were denied entry after police shut the gates minutes before the game began. Witnesses said irate fans — some holding their tickets in the air — were forced to watch the game on a television behind a fence that encircled the stadium.
Some fans complained that baton-wielding police roughly pushed the crowds and ordered them to leave because the stadium was sold out, although there were thousands of empty seats.
The tournament's local organizing committee said there would be no comment and the issue would be addressed at a news conference Sunday.
AP Sports Writer Michael Casey in Doha contributed to this report.