Iran scored a dramatic penalty kick in stoppage time, eliminating Japan from the Asian Cup and qualifying for the semi-finals.
Education City Stadium, Qatar – Supported by 1000’s of vocal supporters, Iran defeated favorites Japan and booked their place within the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 with a well-known 2-1 victory.
The match, billed because the early closing of the match, happened on a cool Saturday afternoon at Qatar’s Education City Stadium, with Iran rising as four-time champions, given each groups’ match historical past, FIFA rankings and robust groups. On the opposite hand, the state of affairs was reversed.
In a match now well-known for its late-game drama, Iranian captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored one of the well-known objectives in his nation’s Asian Cup historical past, scoring a heart-wrenching penalty in stoppage time to guide Team Melli to victory. obtained the correct to take part. Second semi-final match on Wednesday.
Immediately after the beginning of the match, Japan made a number of assaults in direction of the Iranian purpose, however had been unable to transform any possibilities, a lot to the delight of the big Iranian pressure behind them.
Hidemasa Morita modified issues along with his Twenty eighth-minute purpose, and the small teams of Japanese followers that had been scattered across the stadium lastly made their presence felt. But that did little to discourage Team Melli supporters, who upped their synchronized clapping and chanting a number of extra notches.

This workforce, one of many oldest within the match, took off their socks after halftime and started a back-and-forth battle with Samurai Blue, who had been aiming for a fair purpose.
Perhaps they had been attempting to impress coach Amir Galenoei, who criticized his workforce for lacking a number of scoring possibilities in Thursday’s Round of 16 match towards Syria.
“I’m not very pleased with the efficiency of some gamers, however I’m very pleased with the self-discipline we confirmed,” stated Galenoi.
Ten minutes into the second half, Iran lastly bought the lead, with Mohamed Mohebi changing Sardar Azmoun’s by means of ball into Japan’s purpose, sending the followers right into a frenzy. Their unwavering help has lastly paid off.

More than two-thirds of the viewers had been carrying Iranian colours or holding Iranian flags. Some, like Wafai Salar, traveled throughout the Arabian Gulf to help the workforce.
He got here to Doha from the western province of Lorestan 10 days in the past to cheer on the workforce within the closing levels of the match.
“We should not doubt our workforce,” Salar advised Al Jazeera earlier than the match.
This perception was reiterated by 72-year-old superfan Mohamed Mirza, who stated the workforce didn’t really feel the absence of star striker Mehdi Taremi, who was absent because of receiving two yellow playing cards towards Syria.
“There are 24 Taremis on the workforce,” he exclaimed after the sport.
“I’ve lived in Qatar for many years and watched the Asia Cup right here 3 times, so now the workforce is obliged to provide me the trophy,” Mirza stated earlier than resuming chants towards Iran. advised.
In reality, Galenoei’s workforce confirmed they had been as much as the problem towards champions Japan by defending their purpose and chasing runs into Japan’s territory. One of them got here late in stoppage time and resulted in Iran profitable a penalty.
The late drama was an excessive amount of for some followers, with Jahan Bakhsh turning his again to the pitch earlier than taking the penalty. When the ball landed within the prime left nook, chaos erupted within the stands and on the pitch. Iranian substitutes ran onto the pitch in celebration, inflicting followers to leap from their seats.

Three minutes later, the referee’s full-time whistle sounded, confirming Japan’s sending off. Japanese followers sitting behind the purpose put their heads of their arms and cried in ache and disbelief.
Across the aisle, 9-year-old Ario, an Iranian fan, was additionally crying. A dramatic last-minute penalty was an excessive amount of for younger supporters to bear.
“I used to be so nervous earlier than the penalty was on condition that the pores and skin on my fingers peeled off,” he advised Al Jazeera as tears rolled down his cheeks.
Ario, an Iranian-Canadian, has by no means been to the nation the place his mother and father had been born, however hopes to play for Team Melli in the future.
“I wish to be like them sometime as a result of I get so excited each time I watch them play,” he stated.
![Juan Ario of Iran soccer team at Education City Stadium [Hafsa Adil/Al Jazeera]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240203_163244-1706981525.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C578)
Galenoei’s workforce will give Ario and tens of millions of Iranian followers around the globe one other likelihood to experience the wave of emotion once they face the winners of the quarter-final match between Qatar and Uzbekistan 4 days later.
For a veteran like Mirza, it may very well be third time fortunate if the three-time champion leaves with the trophy on February 10.
