"As the national coach of China, he should demonstrate more of a sporting spirit and be a good sporting loser," Asian Football Confederation (AFC) General Secretary Peter Velappan said.

"To not receive his medal is an act of disrespect to the Chinese national team and to the AFC. He must learn to respect that China lost to a better Japanese team."

 Following the match, which was marred by several disputed refereeing decisions, Haan refused to mount the podium with his team to accept the second place award and instead watched the ceremony from the pitch.

"I didn't feel at this moment ready to take this medal," Haan told journalists.  "I feel so disappointed, so I didn't go.

"The first goal, the foul should have been for us. The second goal - the hand ball, and the third was a foul on Sun Jihai."

China. playing the first Asian Cup final for 20 years, went a goal behind to Takashi Fukunishi on 22  minutes but drew level on 31 minutes when Li Ming slotted from just inside the box.

 

Japan went ahead 20 minutes into the second half when Koji Nakata bundled the ball home from close range.  Keiji Tamada rubbed salt into Chinese wounds one minute into second-half injury time when he dribbled past keeper Liu Yunfei to make certain of the win.