[Result] Japan 1-2 Iran

Qatar and Japan were eliminated from the 2023 Asian Cup after a 1-2 defeat to Iran in the quarter-finals, due to a late penalty in the second half.

In injury time at the end of the second half, Iran lofted a ball into the Japanese penalty area, but center-back Ko Itakura missed his header and his partner Takehiro Tomiyasu failed to clear the ball decisively. Defender Hossein Kanani quickly rushed in to push the ball away, before Itakura slid down inside the penalty area. Immediately, Chinese referee Ma Ning awarded a penalty to Japan, causing the Iranian players to jump and embrace each other in celebration.

A costly and unnecessary tackle by center-back Ko Itakura on Hossein Kanani. Photo: Reuters

Iranian captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh took the penalty kick, sending the ball soaring into the top left corner, giving goalkeeper Zion Suzuki no chance to save it. The Iranian substitutes rushed onto the pitch to celebrate with Jahanbakhsh, as the goal put Iran ahead 2-1 with only seconds remaining. This second-half comeback propelled Iran into the semi-finals for the second consecutive time, settling the score after their previous semi-final defeat to Japan.

Japan played better in the first half and took the lead, but were overwhelmed throughout the second half. In the second half alone, Iran had 10 shots on goal, 2.5 times more than their opponents. The West Asian representatives capitalized on both of their most dangerous opportunities to score, while Hajime Moriyasu's team failed to create any noteworthy chances during this period.

Key events of the match.

Throughout the match, Japan only created one dangerous chance, and they successfully capitalized on it to open the scoring in the 28th minute. Forward Ayase Ueda set up Hidemasa Morita, who surged forward from the left. The midfielder dribbled past three Iranian players into the penalty area before firing a low shot that deflected off goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand's leg and into the net.

Morita plays for Sporting in Portugal, and he celebrated his goal in a similar way to the club's striker Viktor Gyokeres, by interlocking his fingers in front of his face. Meanwhile, the Iranian defenders looked disappointed, blaming each other after conceding the goal.

However, the most traditional team in the tournament could only do so much. Iran didn't need to keep possession any longer to create numerous chances at the opponent's goal. In the 55th minute, the Japanese players lost the ball in their own half, allowing striker Sardar Azmoun to thread a pass to midfielder Mohammad Mohebi, who raced down to face the goalkeeper and fired a low shot into the far corner, beating Zion Suzuki. Iran also squandered many opportunities before scoring the decisive goal in the final minute.

Defender Itakura holds his head in his hands, while the Iranian players hug each other to celebrate their victory over Japan. Photo: AFP

Japan failed to keep a clean sheet in all five matches at the 2023 Asian Cup, despite having won 11 consecutive games prior to that. The FIFA-ranked Asian team lost two matches in the tournament, against Iraq and Iran. Moriyasu's future will become uncertain after this defeat, while Iran aims for their first title in 48 years. Their opponent in the semi-finals will be either Qatar or Uzbekistan.

Despite being eliminated, the Japanese players stayed after the match, holding a banner thanking the fans, walking around the field, and bowing deeply. The fans also didn't leave, but stayed to encourage Moriyasu and his team.

The Iranian fans, of course, stayed to celebrate with Amir Ghalenoei and his team. In the midst of the celebration, striker Ali Gholizadeh carried his young son onto the field and held him aloft. Many other players broke down in tears, having been considered underdogs before the match. But now, Iran had a strong chance of winning the championship, and were just two matches away from glory.

Quang Dung - Hoang An

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