Naohiro Takahara's close-range strike in the 61st minute almost secured three points for Japan until Quintana powered the ball home with a deflected free kick on 88 minutes.

Japan coach Ivica Osim complained that his players were careless for some time.

"This result could make it difficult for us. The players have got to learn to turn style into substance," he said.

Japan trailed Vietnam in Group B after the co-hosts' 2-0 win over United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday.

Qatar coach Dzemaludin Musovic, who was ordered out for protesting the red card given to Hussain Yaser in injury time, was satisfied with the 1-1 result.

"Of course Japan won't be happy with the result, but we deserved to take a point," he said.

Japan will face UAE in their second game on Friday while Qatar will play Vietnam a day earlier.

The 2007 Asian Cup is being co-hosted by Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.