Iran's players celebrate their team's second goal during the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final football match between Iran and Japan at Education City Stadium in al-Rayyan, west of Doha, on February 3, 2024. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP)
Doha, Qatar: A last-minute penalty strike by Alireza Jahanbakhsh yesterday propelled Iran to a dramatic 2-1 victory over Japan, setting the stage for a semi-final showdown with the reigning champions Qatar.
Goals from Japan’s Hidemasa Morita and Iran’s Mohammad Mohebi had drawn the scores level until the dying minutes of the thrilling quarter-final at the Education City Stadium before Jahanbakhsh’s goal helped Team Melli avenge the 2019 semi-final loss to Japan as they continue their hunt for the first Asian title since 1976. Iran coach Ardeshir Ghalenoei hailed his team, especially for the fierce fightback they showed after training 0-1 at the halfway mark.
“They gave everything for the Iranian people,” Ghalenoei said.
“This can be a turning point for Iranian football,” the 60-year-old said.
Iran fans celebrate their team’s win at Education City Stadium yesterday.
Earlier, Jahanbakhsh almost put Iran ahead in the 13th minute when he curled a shot that nearly shocked Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, but flew over the crossbar.
In the 18 minute, Morita lost possession on the edge of the Japanese penalty box, allowing Saeid Ezatolahli to take control of the ball and kick it toward the net, only to see Suzuki managing to stop it.
Morita then struck Japan’s opening goal 10 minutes later. The midfielder’s solo effort beat three Iranian defenders as he kicked from inside the box and beat goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
Iran, eagerly looking for a leveler, couldn’t do much in the remaining minutes of the first half, apart from a missed shot from Saman Ghoddos.
However, Iran got their act together upon return.
Nine minutes after the restart, Iran intercepted a long pass from Suzuki as Sardar Azmoun made a through pass to Mohebi, and the 25-year-old striker comfortably slotted into the bottom corner of the net.
Iran went on to dominate the proceedings for the rest of the match, maintaining most of the ball possession, but couldn’t score another, at least until the final minutes.
Iran’s Alireza Jahanbakhsh celebrates after scoring the winner.
Iran kept the US-born Suzuki busy, forcing the 21-year-old to make several key saves.
Among them was a remarkable stop of Saeid Ezatolahi’s shot in the closing minutes.
The game appeared to be heading to the extra time. However, it was not until Kou Itakura’s foul on Hossein Kanaanizadegan in the penalty area which provided Iran with a golden opportunity.
Jahanbakhsh became the hero for Iran, converting the penalty in the sixth minute of added time, sending the Iranian supporters into rapturous celebrations as Team Melli secured a memorable comeback.
After the defeat, the coach of Japan, the pre-tournament favourites - Hajime Moriyasu admitted that his team failed at handling the pressure.
“They put us under a lot of pressure and we could not resist their pressure,” said Moriyasu.
“Against strong opponents, we cannot concede goals like we did today,” Moriyasu said.
We have to improve in many aspects. We conceded a goal in all five matches in this tournament. If you don’t keep a clean sheet you can’t win,” Moriyasu said.
“We should have scored a second, and if we had, the game would have been different.”
