Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s last-minute penalty gave Iran a 2-1 win over Japan on Saturday and a spot within the Asian Cup semifinals for simply the second time since 2004.
Iran will subsequent play match host Qatar, which beat Uzbekistan 3-2 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 stalemate after additional time of their quarterfinal encounter.
Jahanbakhsh stored his cool within the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time to maintain Iran heading in the right direction for a primary title since 1976 and fourth general. Ko Itakura had been whistled for the foul and Jahanbakhsh gave goalkeeper Zion Suzuki no probability.
“Iran should be proud,” Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei stated. “The players gave everything they had and I think the result can be a turning point for Iranian football.”
Iran got here from behind after Hidemasa Morita put pre-tournament favourite Japan forward within the first half of an entertaining quarterfinal match at Education City Stadium.
Mohammad Mohebi leveled the rating within the fifty fifth minute.
Iran began aggressively with Jahanbakhsh firing simply over from the left after 13 minutes. Shortly after Saeid Ezatolahi shot straight at goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
Out of nothing nevertheless, Japan, searching for a file fifth Asian Cup title, took the lead within the twenty eighth minute. Morita collected a cross, skipped previous Hossein Kanani to enter the world and whereas his shot was mushy, it appeared to confuse Alireza Beiranvand and the ball bounced off the goalkeeper’s leg and into the web.
Iran, with out suspended star striker Mehdi Taremi, virtually leveled six minutes earlier than the break when Brentford midfielder Saman Ghoddos shot simply extensive.
Ten minutes after the break, Sardar Azmoun slipped the ball by means of to Mohebi whose first-time shot from close to the penalty spot went within the internet to spark the comeback.
“We have to improve in many aspects,” Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu stated.
“We conceded a goal in all five matches in this tournament. If you don’t keep a clean sheet you can’t win… We couldn’t handle the pressure they put on our defense.”
A primary-half strike from Hassan Al Haydos led to defending champion Qatar taking a Twenty seventh-minute lead. His cross from the fitting deceived goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov, standing on the close to put up, and went in as an own-goal by the keeper.
Uzbekistan, searching for a second semifinal look, had probabilities and leveled after 59 minutes. Odiljon Hamrobekov picked up a unfastened ball simply exterior the world and the midfielder’s shot discovered the underside nook.
Uzbekistan continued to have higher probabilities however couldn’t forestall a penalty shootout.
Both goalkeepers made saves however Pedro Miguel scored the decisive kick to ship Qatar by means of to the final 4.
The winner of Wednesday’s conflict will meet both South Korea or Jordan within the closing on Feb.10.
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
