Brynjar Gunnarsson's second-half header fired Reading to victory over Shimizu S-Pulse in Goyang but it was not enough to secure a place in the Peace Cup final.

Victory by two goals would have booked the Royals' place in the tournament showpiece but despite laying siege to the Japanese club's goal late on, they could not produce the vital second.

Iceland defender Ivar Ingimarsson missed a hat-trick of chances while Shane Long wasted a glorious opportunity after nodding over the bar from just four yards out.

The Irish striker was also denied by Shimizu goalkeeper Yohei Nishibe who made a magnificent save in the final minute.

Dave Kitson and James Harper could also have got on the scoresheet after going close, but Shimizu proved equally creative and squandered chances themselves.

Gunnarsson was the only player on the pitch to keep his nerve when he pounced for a 69th minute winner following a slick move by Steve Coppell's side.

Graham Stack's goal-kick was flicked on by Long into the patch of Dave Kitson who found Gunnarsson in the middle and the Iceland midfielder buried the chance.

Seol Ki-Hyeon made his first appearance since undergoing an ankle operation at the start of the summer with the winger's arrival earning the approval of Korean supporters.

The result ends Reading's interest in the biennial competition staged in South Korea.