Iran will now face Qatar within the semifinals of the Asian Cup, after beating Japan [Getty/file photo]
Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored a 96th-minute penalty to offer Iran a dramatic 2-1 win over Japan on Saturday and arrange an Asian Cup semi-final towards holders Qatar.
It capped a shocking comeback from Iran, who had been behind on the break however roared again to dump out the pre-tournament favourites and hold alive their dream of a primary Asian title since 1976.
Hidemasa Morita gave Japan, who had been seeking to raise the trophy for a record-extending fifth time, the lead halfway by the primary half in entrance of 36,000 at Schooling Metropolis Stadium in Doha.
Mohammad Mohebi drew Iran – themselves champions 3 times – degree 10 minutes after half time and so they dominated the rest of the sport.
However simply when it appeared like further time, Kou Itakura introduced Hossein Kanaanizadegan down within the field and skipper Jahanbakhsh held his nerve to spark delirium on the pitch and within the stands.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei stated his gamers had been “incredible” within the second half.
“They gave the whole lot for the Iranian folks,” he stated.
“This is usually a turning level for Iranian soccer.”
Ghalenoei, whose facet squeezed by on penalties over Syria within the final 16, took a potshot at critics of him and his facet again house.
“I’m not saying criticism shouldn’t be good, however some folks within the final 11 months tried to wreck the nationwide group,” he stated.
Iran, lacking the suspended Porto ahead Mehdi Taremi, had the primary sight of purpose on 13 minutes when Feyenoord winger Jahanbakhsh fizzed the ball over goalkeeper Zion Suzuki’s crossbar.
Japan appeared flustered initially by their opponents’ bodily strategy, however they had been in a position to give nearly as good as they bought and Itakura picked up a yellow card for cynically stopping an Iran assault.
On 28 minutes Hajime Moriyasu’s facet went forward when Morita bustled his means by a weak problem and with Iran’s defence AWOL, the midfielder was on their own with solely Alireza Beiranvand to beat.
He didn’t strike the ball convincingly however the goalkeeper tried to save lots of along with his legs as an alternative of his arms and the ball hit an outstretched limb earlier than looping into the web.
Japan, overwhelmed by Qatar within the 2019 closing, went to the break within the lead however there was little in it.
Within the fifty fifth minute Iran pulled degree when Sardar Azmoun slipped in Mohebi and he beat an uncovered Suzuki with a wise first-time end.
It was all Iran now. Mohebi headed simply large on the far put up after which an Azmoun header flashed narrowly previous Suzuki’s put up with the goalkeeper overwhelmed, earlier than the drama on the loss of life.
“They put us underneath plenty of strain and we couldn’t resist their strain,” stated Moriyasu, whose facet had been overwhelmed 2-1 by Iraq within the group part and conceded eight targets in the course of the event.
“In opposition to robust opponents we can’t concede targets like we did at this time.”
Arab reporter’s response to #Iran‘s ending purpose towards Japan; Bye bye Samurai! #AFCON pic.twitter.com/g7mPRHGYl4
— IRNA Information Company (@IrnaEnglish) February 3, 2024
“We should always have scored a second, and if we had, the sport would have been completely different.”
Requested in regards to the efficiency of defender Itakura, Moriyasu replied: “I’ll go away the criticism to the media.”
Qatar face Uzbekistan later Saturday, with South Korea enjoying Jordan within the first semi-final, on Tuesday.
Supply Hyperlink : Lowongan Kerja 2023
