China Striker Hao Haidong Questionable For Asian Cup Final Against Japan

BEIJING, Aug 4 (AFP) - China`s talismanic striker Hao Haidong is listed as day-to-day and could miss Saturday`s Asian Cup final against Japan due to injury, team officials said.
Hao had five stitches in his forehead and is in a neck brace after taking a nasty spill following a collision with Iranian goalie Ebrahim Mirzapour in the early going of Tuesday night`s 4-3 penalty shoot out win over Iran.
"Right now his head is okay, but what may keep him out of the final match is his neck, it is very sore," team spokesman Dong Hua said Wednesday.
Hao`s cross to striker Shao Jiayi in the 19th minute of Tuesday`s match led to China`s sole goal in the tightly fought match-up that ended in a 1-1 tie after 120 minutes.
The 33-year old striker is China`s major scoring threat and has so far collected two goals in the ongoing tournament.