Iran beats Japan 2-1 to reach Asian Cup semifinals. Iran beat Japan 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the AFC Asia Cup at Education City stadium. Iran advanced into the semi-finals of the Asia Cup. Four times Asia Cup champions Knockout from the AFC Asia Cup. Blue Samurai took a lead in the first half and Iran drew level in the middle of the second half and scored a winner at stoppage time from plenty spot.
Iran team starting eleven
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei picked Alireza Beiranvand as a first-choice keeper. Hossein Kanaanizadegan and Shojae Khalilzadeh as center backs. Ramin Rezaeian is right side back and Milad Mohammadi is left side back. Omid Ebrahimi and Saeed Ezatolahi are playing in the Mid-field. Alireza Jahanbakhsh is right-wing and Mohammad Mohebi is left-wing. Saman Ghoddos is playing as a center-attacking midfielder. Sardar Azmoun is playing as a center forward. Amir Ghalenoei chose a 4-2-3-1 formation in this match.
Japan starting elven
Hajime Moriyasu Pick a Starting eleven of Zion Suzuki is in a goal. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kou Itakura play in the center-back position. Seiya Maikuma is on the right and Hiroki Ito is in the left side-back position. Wataru Endo in the Defensive- midfield role. Hidemasa Morita and Takefusa Kubo play as center-attacking midfielder. Daizen Maeda plays as a left-side midfielder and Ritsu Doan plays as a right-side midfielder. Ayase Ueda playing in the Center Forward position. Hajime Moriyasu has a 4-1-4-1 Formation in this match.
Japan Vs Iran: Iran beats Japan 2-1 to reach Asian Cup semifinals
First Half
In the early minutes of the match, Blue Samurai completely controlled the tempo of the match. Japan had more possession of the ball Iranian defensive unit was under pressure. In the 13th minute, Alireza Jahanbakhsh took a shot from a distance to catch Zion Suzuki off the goal line but his shot went over the crossbar.
Japan controlled the game with more possession and put their opponents under pressure in search of a goal. In the 28th minute, Hidemasa Morita manages to get the ball in open space after it clangs between some Iranian defenders just outside the box. Hidemasa Morita took a shot, and Alireza Beiranvand tried to block it with his boot but the ball was deflected and went into the net Japan took the lead.
After conceding the goal Iran played with a high press and took a physical approach. In the 39th minute, Saman Ghoddos controlled over the top ball beautifully and took a shot from the outside of the box but his affords went wide of the post. In the last 15 minutes of the first half, Iran played with the intent to find an equalizer. Half Time ended with a 1-0 scoreline.
Second Half
During the half-time break, both teams do not make any changes they play with the same starting eleven. Iran starts positively in the second half with an attacking mindset. Zion Suzuki made a save to Deny Sardar Azmoun to score a goal in the 50th minute of the game. In the 55th minute, Sardar Azmoun played a through pass inside the box to Mohammad Mohebi who slotted the ball right side and into the far-post bottom corner. Iran Drew level with Japan.
🎥 HIGHLIGHTS | 🇮🇷 IR Iran 2️⃣-1️⃣ Japan 🇯🇵
Team Melli leave it late as captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh dramatically becomes a hero!
Match Report 🔗 https://t.co/IfrEmW6zRc#AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia | #IRNvJOR pic.twitter.com/xiNIe2KDnk
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) February 3, 2024
Iran bombarded the Japanese box with lethal crosses. Mohammad Mohebi missed his chance to score his second goal when his header went wide at the far post. In the 72nd minute, Sardar Azmoun’s header went wide at the near post. In the stoppage time, Hossein Kanaanizadegan was brought down inside the box by Kou Itakura. The Referee pointed at the spot. Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored from the plenty. The referee blew a full-time whistle Iran won the match and advanced into the semi-finals of the AFC Asia Cup. Iran Will face Qatar in the semi-finals on 7 February.