Iran's Saeid Ezatolahi (C) vies with Japan's Endo Wataru (L) during the quarterfinal match between Iran and Japan at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
DOHA, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored a late penalty as Iran came from behind to beat Japan 2-1 and reached the semifinals of the AFC Asian Cup here on Saturday.
Iran, who was defeated by Japan 3-0 in the Asian Cup semifinals in 2019, took sweet revenge by eliminating the top favorite of this year's tournament.
"Iran should be proud. The players gave everything they had, and I think the result can be a turning point for Iranian football," Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said.
Japan broke the deadlock in the 28th minute, when Hidemasa Morita skipped past three Iranian defenders before scoring the goal.
Without suspended star striker Mehdi Taremi, Mohammad Mohebi stood out to level for Iran in the 55th minute, thanks to a through ball from Sardar Azmoun.
Six minutes into stoppage time, Jahanbakhsh converted the spot kick after Ko Itakura brought Hussein Kanaani down inside the box.
"I have to admit Iran was the better team today," Japanese captain Wataru Endo said. "It's been a tournament that made us realize once again it's tough battling in Asia. We aren't done here, we have to return to our clubs and go about our business carrying the sense of frustration."
Iran will next face defending champion Qatar, who edged Uzbekistan 3-2 in the penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw on Saturday. Qatar goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham made three successful saves in the dramatic shootout.
Qatar took the lead in the 27th minute when Hassan Al Haydos shot from a tight angle and forced an own goal from Uzbekistan goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov, but Oiljon Hamrobekov found the equalizer in the 58th minute with a low strike.
The home team also missed twice in the shootout as Almoez Ali's kick was parried in the second round and Almahdi Ali fired the ball over the crossbar in the fourth round.
However, Barsham denied Rustamjon Ashurmatov, Zafarmurod Abdirahmatov and Jaloliddin Masharipov in the second, fourth and fifth rounds respectively to gift his team a spot in the semifinals.
"With penalties there is some anticipation and there is some luck. Thankfully I got lucky and saved three penalties," Barsham noted. ■
Abbosbek Fayzullaev (L) of Uzbekistan vies with Pedro Correia of Qatar during the quarterfinal match between Uzbekistan and Qatar at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
Japan's Itakura Kou (2nd R) fouls Iran's Hossein Kanani (2nd L) leading to a penalty kick in favor of Iran during the quarterfinal match between Iran and Japan at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Iran's Sardar Azmoun (2nd L) vies with Japan's goalkeeper Suzuki Zion during the quarterfinal match between Iran and Japan at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Japan's Endo Wataru reacts after the quarterfinal match between Iran and Japan at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Iran's Alireza Jahanbakhsh celebrates after scoring the penalty kick during the quarterfinal match between Iran and Japan at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Iran's Mohammad Mohebbi celebrates his goal during the quarterfinal match between Iran and Japan at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Team Japan react after the quarterfinal match between Iran and Japan at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Japan's Doan Ritsu (L) breaks through during the quarterfinal match between Iran and Japan at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Iran's Sardar Azmoun (2nd L) reacts after his goal being disallowed during the quarterfinal match between Iran and Japan at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Iran's Alireza Jahanbakhsh (bottom) celebrates after scoring the penalty kick during the quarterfinal match between Iran and Japan at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Iran's Alireza Jahanbakhsh (R) scores the penalty kick during the quarterfinal match between Iran and Japan at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Referee Ma Ning (4th R) of China awards a penalty kick to Iran during the quarterfinal match between Iran and Japan at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Iran's Mohammad Mohebbi controls the ball during the quarterfinal match between Iran and Japan at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Referee Ma Ning of China blows the final whistle to end the quarterfinal match between Iran and Japan at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Iran's Alireza Jahanbakhsh (2nd L) celebrates after scoring the penalty kick during the quarterfinal match between Iran and Japan at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Iran's Saeid Ezatolahi (2nd R) and Roozbeh Cheshmi (2nd L) celebrate after the quarterfinal match between Iran and Japan at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Fans of Qatar celebrate after their team won the penalty shootout during the quarterfinal match between Uzbekistan and Qatar at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Fans of Uzbekistan celebrate after their team scored a goal during the quarterfinal match between Uzbekistan and Qatar at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Oston Urunov (C) of Uzbekistan breaks through during the quarterfinal match between Uzbekistan and Qatar at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Hasan Al Haydos (2nd L) of Qatar celebrates after scoring with his teammate Pedro Correia during the quarterfinal match between Uzbekistan and Qatar at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Meshaal Barsham (top), goalkeeper of Qatar, is thrown into the air after the quarterfinal match between Uzbekistan and Qatar at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
Team Qatar celebrate after the quarterfinal match between Uzbekistan and Qatar at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Players of Qatar celebrate after the quarterfinal match between Uzbekistan and Qatar at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
Team Qatar celebrate after the penalty shootout during the quarterfinal match between Uzbekistan and Qatar at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Referee Kim Heegon (C) shows a yellow card to Otabek Shukurov (2nd L) of Uzbekistan during the quarterfinal match between Uzbekistan and Qatar at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Otabek Shukurov (top) of Uzbekistan vies for a header during the quarterfinal match between Uzbekistan and Qatar at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
Players of Uzbekistan and Qatar line up before their quarterfinal match at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
