- Hosts Qatar are through to Asian Cup final after beating Iran 3-2 in the semi-final
- Qatar are aiming to become the first nation since Japan to win back-to-back Asian Cup titles
Hosts Qatar are through to Asian Cup final after winning the Iran vs Qatar semi-final fixture on Wednesday. Qatar, who are also the defending champions of the Asian Cup, edged out Iran 3-2 in a thrilling match to set up a title clash with Jordan.
Iran took the lead inside four minutes at Al Thumama Stadium but Sardar Azmoun’s superb strike was cancelled by Akram Afif in the 17th minute. Qatar then went in front two minutes before the break but a controversial penalty decision shortly into the second half helped Iran level the scores.
Iran vs Qatar. Photo/ Free Malaysia Today.
Almoez Ali scored the winner for Qatar and Iran were forced to finish the game with ten men as Shoja Khalilzadeh was sent off in stoppage time.
Qatar are bidding to become the first team to win back-to-back Asian Cup titles since Japan in 2000 and 2004. The hosts, who won the 2019 edition of the Asian Cup, will face underdogs Jordan in Saturday’s final at Lusail Stadium, the same venue where Argentina won the World Cup in 2022.
Speaking after Wednesday’s semi-final clash, Qatar head coach Marquez Lopez appreciated his players for implementing his philosophy on the pitch.
“I’m very happy for everybody, the people of Qatar, the fans and the players. It was a complicated match but I think we played well. The players did not spare any effort. The players implemented my philosophy and ideas on the pitch so they deserve my thanks. Now we have one final step left to defend our title.” Marquez Lopez is quoted by The Guardian.
How Things Unfolded During The Iran Vs Qatar Game
Aiming to become the first nation since Japan to defend the Asian Cup title, Qatar faced Iran in the semi-final with just one target, to win. However, it was never going to be easy playing against Iran who are among the best teams in this tournament.
While Qatar struggled to find their way into the game after kick-off, Iran were already showing dominance and took the lead after just four minutes of play. Sardar Azmoun was just at the right place in the box to score an overhead kick after Qatar failed to properly deal with a long throw-in.
Iran continued to attack afterwards and even created several decent chances. However, it was Qatar who equalized against the run of play when Jassem Gaber’s deflected shot looped over Iran’s goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
The equalizer caused huge outcry from the Iranian bench, who thought Mehdi Taremi had been fouled in the opposite box seconds earlier. In fact, the referee booked Iran’s Mehdi Torabi for demanding a penalty from the touchline.
Akram Afif almost gave Qatar the lead shortly afterwards when the ball fell to him but his effort was well saved by Beiranvand. The 27-year-old redeemed himself in the 43rd minute when he cut through Iran’s defence from the left before netting his fifth goal of the campaign.
Almoez Ali leads his teammates in celebration after scoring the winning goal against Iran during the Iran vs Qatar semi-final clash. Photo/ Sportstar – The Hindu.
Iran were handed a lifeline a few minutes into the second half when the VAR intervened to award them a penalty after Ahmed Fathy handled the ball inside the box. The referee had initially waved play on but changed his decision after going to the monitor and seeing the replay several times.
Having scored a late winner from the penalty spot against Japan in the quarters, Alireza Jahanbakhsh stepped up once again and made no mistake to draw his side level.
Iran had several chances to go in front but squandered them and were made to pay in the 82nd minute when Almoez Ali fired into the bottom corner. Iran’s attempt to found an equalizer was dealt a huge blow in stoppage time when Khalilzadeh was sent off fouling Afif.
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