Iran vs Japan 2-1: AFC Asian Cup quarterfinal – as it happened
All the updates as as Iran beat the favourites Japan in the AFC Asian Cup quarterfinals.
This page is now closed. Thank you for joining us. These were the updates as Iran beat Japan at the AFC Asian Cup 2023 on Saturday, February 3:
This page is now closed. Thank you for joining us. These were the updates as Iran beat Japan at the AFC Asian Cup 2023 on Saturday, February 3:
- Iran come back from a goal down to beat Japan 2-1 in the third Asian Cup quarterfinal at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
- Iranian captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh scores the winning goal from a penalty in stoppage time.
- Iran will play a semifinal against either hosts and defending champions Qatar or Uzbekistan, who play their quarterfinal later on Saturday.
- Live updates
- Match stats
- Lineups
It’s a wrap
Iran’s pursuit of a fourth AFC Asian Cup trophy is intact after they manage to topple Japan 2-1 at the very end of regulation time.
The Samurai Blue, who hold the record for winning the tournament on four occasions, were once again strong contenders to add another.
They started off strongly by employing a high press and possession-based game. Once they got the early goal, courtesy of Morita, they looked to be on course for another semifinal.
That is when the match turned on its head as Iran began to play with a bit more physicality and intent.
The numbers, in the end, validate the turnaround made as they outshot Japan 17 to eight.
Iran will now await the winner of Uzbekistan and Qatar to determine their semifinal opponents.
Do make sure to join us for that match-up as we continue our coverage of the AFC Asian Cup.
As for now, on behalf of Al Jazeera Sport, this is Rohan Sharma signing off.
Final match result between Iran and Japan
🇮🇷🆚🇯🇵#AsianCup2023 #HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/gPoSTYV13W
— AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 (@Qatar2023en) February 3, 2024
‘We have 24 Taremis’
Mohamed Mirza believes Iran have already won the Asian Cup by beating the favourites Japan.
The 72-year-old super-fan says not having Taremi was not a problem for Team Melli.
“We have 24 Taremis in the squad – each player is the same level, has the same passion and they delivered the result.”
Photos: Joy for Iran, dejection for Japan
Japan thank their fans
The Japanese team have walked to all corners of the stadium to thank their fans for their support.
They held up a banner that read “thank you very much” and bowed before their fans before making their way down the tunnel.
Meanwhile the fans who travelled here from Japan with their banners, drums and high expectations have not moved from their seats. They are utterly heartbroken.
Captain to the rescue
⚽ 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋 | 🇮🇷 IR Iran 2️⃣ -1️⃣ Japan 🇯🇵
Alireza Jahanbakhsh makes no mistakes from the spot. IR Iran are ahead!
Watch Live 📺 https://t.co/Wvc1BBMMBe#AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia | #IRNvJPN pic.twitter.com/7BaLIkwWuc
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) February 3, 2024
Tears of joy for Iran
Iran’s players are in tears.
They came into the match as slight underdogs, having been made to fight by Syria and losing their star striker in the process, but have pulled off another famous comeback at this memorable Asian Cup.
Full-time
Iran survive the last few minutes to earn their spot in the final four.
They were arguably the better side after Japan went up 1-0 in the first half.
The Japanese players look absolutely crushed as they lose in one of the most agonising of ways.
Full-time: Iran 2-1 Japan
Iran fans in delirium!
Many Iran fans had turned their backs to the Japanese goal, they couldn’t bear to watch the kick being taken.
Then absolute mayhem as the ball goes in!
The Iranian bench was on the pitch, shirts went flying in the stands and the chanting got even louder.
It could be debated whether Iran deserved that penalty, but there’s no doubt that their fans were repaid for their unwavering support.
Triple change from Iran
Karim Ansarifard, Rouzbeh Cheshmi and Mehdi Torabi are subbed on in place of Ghoddos, Azmoun and Mohebi.
Clearly, some time management tactics here as the referee resumes play once more in these final minutes.
90+9 mins: Iran 2-1 Japan
GOAL!
The captain buries the penalty into the top-left corner to send Iranian fans the world over into ecstasy.
Team Melli complete the most remarkable of turnarounds as they are now moments away from a spot in the semifinals.
90+6 mins: Iran 2-1 Japan
Penalty!
In the very last minute of stoppage time, Kanaanizadegan is brought down inside the box to give Iran a golden opportunity to settle this in normal time!
The VAR penalty check has been completed, and Iran are just a kick away from progressing into the semifinals.
It is Jahanbaksh who will take the crucial spot kick.
90+4 mins: Iran 1-1 Japan
Four minutes to be added
Just four minutes now from going into extra-time.
Is there one last twist in this tale?
90+1 mins: Iran 1-1 Japan
Ghoddos cross intercepted
He rushes in from the left side and sends in a wicked ball into the box.
The central defence are able to intervene and stop the ball from reaching its intended target.
90 mins: Iran 1-1 Japan
Suzuki almost commits blunder
He looks to charge out to an intended cross along the ground into the box from the right side.
Suzuki is able to beat out Azmoun, who is looking to poke it towards the near post.
The rebound is recovered by Iran and the ball finds Ghoddos outside the box.
He tries to fire in a chance towards the net, but ends up getting a deflection for an Iranian corner on the right side.
The resulting corner is taken, but Iran are unable to make anything out of it.
87 mins: Iran 1-1 Japan
Suzuki stops shot from distance
Ebrahimi issues a scissor kick from outside the box which is easily tracked by the Japanese goalkeeper.
We are inching towards extra-time now.
84 mins: Iran 1-1 Japan
Samurai Blue fans getting anxious
Japanese fans behind their team’s wear a look of concern as Iran keep putting pressure on their defence.
The Samurai Blue supporters chant “Nippon” every now and then but are more focused on following the action and hoping that their team can create some chances of their own.
Iran corner goes begging
The delivery is provided from the left side.
Despite some calls for a handball from the Iranian players, Japan are able to clear the danger.
81 mins: Iran 1-1 Japan
Both teams going all out
Iran have had the better of the chances, but with the speedy Mitoma on, Japan are looking to utilise his pace down the left side.
78 mins: Iran 1-1 Japan
Attendance: 35,640
The official attendance at the Education City Stadium for this quarterfinal is 35,640.
There are few empty seats here and there but there’s no shortage of noise – Iran fans have made sure of it.
Azmoun header goes wide
The cross is sent in from the left side.
Azmoun rises high to head it towards the near post from inside the box.
Despite the dive to his right, Suzuki never had a chance.
But the Iranian’s chance ends up going just wide.
73 mins: Iran 1-1 Japan
Japan make double change
Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino are brought on, with Maeda and Kudo heading to the bench.
The game has opened up superbly as both sides look to land the telling blow.
We should be in for an exciting 20 minutes ahead.
70 mins: Iran 1-1 Japan
Mohebi finds side netting
He makes a run in from the left side of the box towards the near post as a cross is sent in from the right.
It looks at first glance like he bissected the gap, but instead finds the netting.
67 mins: Iran 1-1 Japan
VAR rules Iran goal offside
It looks like Azmoun is on side as he chases after a deep ball.
He rushes into the box, goes left, and then steps out right before finding the gap at the near post.
Iranian fans are over the moon as it looks like they have completed a remarkable turnaround.
However, the linesman flags it as offside, but is is perilously close.
After a quick review, the goal is indeed overruled.
64 mins: Iran 1-1 Japan
Japan corner fizzles out
It is taken from the left side.
After some eventful bounces around the box, Iran are able to clear the threat.
63 mins: Iran 1-1 Japan
Iran fans drive their team on
Iran have repaid the faith shown in them by their fans, who have not stopped chanting since kickoff.
Their noise level has gone up after the equaliser.
It’s been a great game for the neutrals, too. Will they be treated to another extra-time finish today?