Qatar meets Iran in Asian Cup semifinals

Al Rayyan, Feb. 5: Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s last-minute penalty gave Iran a 2-1 win over Japan on Saturday and a place in the Asian Cup semifinals for just the second time since 2004.

Iran will next play tournament host Qatar, which beat Uzbekistan 3-2 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 stalemate after extra time in their quarterfinal encounter.

Jahanbakhsh kept his cool in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time to keep Iran on course for a first title since 1976 and fourth overall. Ko Itakura had been whistled for the foul and Jahanbakhsh gave goalkeeper Zion Suzuki no chance.

Iran came from behind after Hidemasa Morita put pre-tournament favorite Japan ahead in the first half of an entertaining quarterfinal match at Education City Stadium.

Mohammad Mohebi leveled the score in the 55th minute.

A first-half strike from Hassan Al Haydos led to defending champion Qatar taking a 27th-minute lead. His cross from the right deceived goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov, standing at the near post, and went in as an own-goal by the keeper.

Uzbekistan, looking for a second semifinal appearance, had chances and leveled after 59 minutes. Odiljon Hamrobekov picked up a loose ball just outside the area and the midfielder’s shot found the bottom corner.

Uzbekistan continued to have better chances but could not prevent a penalty shootout. Both goalkeepers made saves but Pedro Miguel scored the decisive kick to send Qatar through to the last four.