Iran beat Japan 2-1 for a place in AFC Asian Cup 2023 semifinal | AFC Asian Cup News

Education City Stadium, Qatar – Iran, backed by their thousands of vociferous fans, eliminated favorites Japan and earned a place in the semi-finals of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. with a famous 2-1 victory.

In a match billed as an early final of the tournament, given both teams’ history in the competition, their FIFA rankings and their strong squads, Iran turned the tables on the four-time champions on a cold Saturday afternoon at Education City Stadium from Qatar.

In a tournament now known for its final drama, Iran captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored one of the most famous goals in his country’s Asian Cup history with a stirring stoppage-time penalty that gave the Melli team a place in the standings. second semi-final on Wednesday.

In the opening minutes of the match, Japan made several bursts towards Iran’s goal, but failed to capitalize on their opportunities, much to the delight of the large Iranian contingent positioned behind them.

Hidemasa Morita changed that with his 28th-minute goal and the small groups of Japanese fans scattered around the stadium finally made their presence felt. However, this failed to deter the Team Melli fans, who continued their applause and synchronized chants for a few more degrees.

The team, one of the oldest in the tournament, pulled up its socks after the break and began a back-and-forth competition with the Samurai Blue in search of an equalizer.

Perhaps they wanted to impress their coach, Amir Ghalenoei, who had criticized the team for missing several scoring opportunities against Syria in their round of 16 match on Thursday.

“I’m not very happy with the performance of some players, but I’m very happy with the discipline we showed,” Ghalenoei had said.

Iran’s first goal finally came 10 minutes into the second half when Mohammed Mohebi put a pass from Sardar Azmoun into the Japanese goal and sent their fans into a frenzy. His unwavering support finally paid off.

More than two-thirds of the spectators were wearing Iranian colors or carrying Iranian flags. Some, like Wafai Salar, had traveled from across the Arabian Gulf to support their team.

He arrived in Doha 10 days ago from the western province of Lorestan to support his team in the final stages of the tournament.

“We should not doubt our team,” Salar told Al Jazeera before the match.

This belief was reiterated by super fan Mohamed Mirza, 72, who said the team did not feel the absence of its star striker Mehdi Taremi, who missed the match against Syria due to his two yellow cards.

“We have 24 Taremis in the squad,” he shouted after the game.

“I have lived in Qatar for decades and have watched three Asian Cups here, so now the team owes me a trophy,” Mirza said before resuming his chants for Iran.

In fact, Ghalenoei’s team showed that they were up for the challenge against the heavily favored Japan by defending their goal and continuing to run towards the Japanese half. One of them, at the end of stoppage time, resulted in Iran winning a penalty.

The late drama was too much for some fans, who turned their backs on the pitch before Jahanbakhsh took the penalty. Once the ball was deposited in the top left corner, chaos broke out in the stands and on the field. Iran’s substitutes ran onto the field to celebrate and their fans jumped from their seats.

Three minutes later, the referee’s final whistle confirmed Japan’s expulsion. The Japanese fans sitting behind their goal put their hands on their heads and shed tears of agony and disbelief.

Across the hall, Ario, a nine-year-old Iranian fan, was also crying. The dramatic penalty in the last minute was too much for the young fan.

“I was so nervous before they took the penalty that I peeled the skin off my fingers,” he told Al Jazeera as tears ran down his cheeks.

Ario, an Iranian-Canadian citizen, has never been to his parents’ home country, but would like to play for Team Melli one day.

“I get really excited every time I see them play, so I want to be like them one day,” he said.

Ghalenoei’s men will give Ario and Iran’s millions of fans around the world another chance to ride the wave of emotions when they face the winner of the quarter-final between Qatar and Uzbekistan in four days’ time.

For veterans like Mirza, it may even be a case of third time luck if the three-time champions walk away with the trophy on February 10.