Japan maintained its pursuit of a record-extending fifth Asian Cup title on Wednesday by advancing to the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win in opposition to Bahrain.
The pre-tournament favourite has bounced again from a shock 2-1 loss in opposition to Iraq within the group stage and can play Iran within the subsequent spherical.
Goals from Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo and Ayase Ueda secured Japan’s place within the final eight, whereas Zion Suzuki’s personal aim was the one comfort for Bahrain.
Iran booked its place within the quarterfinals by beating Syria on penalties after the sport ended 1-1 via additional time. It performs Japan at Education City Stadium on Saturday.
Japan went forward within the thirty first minute when Seiya Maikuma’s long-range shot got here again off the publish and Doan transformed on the rebound.
Kubo doubled the lead 4 minutes into the second half when he spun and completed from shut vary.
Bahrain was given hope of a comeback within the sixty fourth as Sayed Baqer’s highly effective header was parried into the air by Suzuki. The Japan goalkeeper then tried to catch the ball, however collided with Ayase, who was making an attempt to go clear off the goal-line and the ball was fumbled into the web.
Ayase restored Japan’s two-goal benefit eight minutes later when firing low on the close to publish to beat Bahrain keeper Ebrahim Lutfalla.
IRAN SCARE
Three-time champion Iran wanted a penalty shootout to beat Syria, one of many event’s shock packages.
Down to 10-men after Mehdi Taremi was despatched off in time added on, Iran finally received 5-3 on spot kicks at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.
The sport had ended 1-1 via additional time. Taremi fired Iran forward with a penalty within the thirty fourth after he had been fouled by Aiham Ousou.
Syria then equalized from the spot via Omar Khrbin within the sixty fourth after Pablo Sabbag was introduced down by Iran keeper Alireza Beiranvand.
Syria was taking part in within the knockout stage of the Asian Cup for the primary time and was given a bonus when Taremi was despatched off within the first minute of stoppage time for a second bookable offense. But it couldn’t benefit from the additional man and the sport remained stage via additional time.
In the shootout, Beiranvand’s save from Fahd Youssef proved the decisive second as Iran transformed all of its spot kicks.
It is the eighth time in a row that Iran has superior to the quarterfinals.
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
