SEOUL (AFP) - Japan's men claimed the East Asian Cup for the first time on Sunday with a 2-1 win over hosts South Korea, crushing China's hopes of taking home some silverware.

At the Jamsil Olympic Stadium in Seoul, Yoichiro Kakitani grabbed a brace, including the vital clincher in stoppage time, which gave Japan seven points at the end of the tournament, two more than China.

Earlier on Sunday, China defeated Australia 4-3, but they had to wait for the last tournament game to know whether they had won overall.

South Korea and China have each won two East Asian Cups, while Japan have been the runners-up three times.