[Result] Japan 1-2 Iran

Qatar Japan was eliminated from the 2023 Asian Cup after losing 1-2 to Iran in the quarter-finals, by a penalty in the last minute of the second half.

In the final minute of the second half, Iran sent a high ball into the Japanese penalty area, but center-back Ko Itakura missed his header and his partner Takehiro Tomiyasu was indecisive in clearing the ball. Defender Hossein Kanani quickly rushed in to push the ball away, before being tripped by Itakura in the penalty area. Immediately, Chinese referee Ma Ning blew a penalty for Japan, causing the Iranian players to jump up and hug each other in joy.

Center-back Ko Itakura's unfortunate tackle on Hossein Kanani. Photo: Reuters

Captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh took the penalty kick, sending the ball flying high into the left corner, giving goalkeeper Zion Suzuki no chance to block. Iranian substitutes rushed onto the field to celebrate with Jahanbakhsh, as the goal put Iran ahead 2-1 with only seconds remaining. The second-half comeback put Iran in the semi-finals for the second time in a row, and avenged their loss to Japan in the previous semi-finals.

Japan played better in the first half and took the lead, but were dominated throughout the second half. In the second half alone, Iran had 10 shots, 2.5 times more than their opponents. The West Asian representatives made good use of both of their most dangerous chances to score, while Hajime Moriyasu's team did not create any notable situations during this period.

Main events of the match.

Japan only created one dangerous chance in the entire match, and they took advantage of it to open the scoring in the 28th minute. Striker Ayase Ueda played a wall, passing the ball to Hidemasa Morita who rushed in from the left. The midfielder pushed the ball past three Iranian players into the penalty area, before shooting low, off the foot of goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, into the net.

Morita plays for Sporting in Portugal, and he celebrated the goal like the club's striker Viktor Gyokeres, by clasping his fingers in front of his face. The Iranian defenders were disappointed and blamed each other after the goal.

However, the most traditional team in the tournament could only do so much. Iran did not need to keep the ball much longer, still creating opportunities to rush the opponent's goal. In the 55th minute, the Japanese players lost the ball in their own half, allowing striker Sardar Azmoun to pass the ball to midfielder Mohammad Mohebi, who rushed down to face him, and shot low across the corner, defeating goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. Iran also wasted many opportunities before scoring the decisive goal in the last minute.

Center back Itakura holds his head, while Iranian players hug each other to celebrate the victory over Japan. Photo: AFP

Japan failed to keep a clean sheet in all five of their 2023 Asian Cup games, despite winning 11 straight. The FIFA-ranked Asian team lost two of their games at the tournament, against Iraq and Iran. Moriyasu's future will be uncertain after this defeat, while Iran are aiming for their first title in 48 years. Their semi-final opponents will be Qatar or Uzbekistan.

Despite being eliminated, the Japanese players stayed after the match, holding a banner thanking the audience, walking around the field and bowing. The spectators did not leave, but stayed to encourage Moriyasu and his team.

Of course, the Iranian audience also stayed to share the joy with Amir Ghalenoei and his team. During the celebration, striker Ali Gholizadeh carried his young son onto the field and held him up high. Many other players burst into tears, as they were rated lower before the match. But at this time, Iran had a high chance of winning the championship, and was only two matches away from glory.

Quang Dung - Hoang An

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