Schooling Metropolis Stadium, Qatar – Iran, backed by their hundreds of vociferous supporters, knocked out favorites Japan and earned a spot within the semi-finals of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup with a well-known 2-1 win.
In a match classed as a first-ever last of the match – given each groups' historical past within the competitors, their FIFA rankings and powerful squads – Iran turned the tables on the four-time champions on a cool Saturday afternoon at Schooling Metropolis Stadium in Qatar.
In a match now identified for its late drama, Iran captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored one of the vital well-known targets in his nation's Asian Cup historical past with a heart-in-the-mouth penalty which he reserved for the Group Melli a spot in his nation. second semi-final on Wednesday.
The opening minutes of the sport noticed Japan make a number of flurries in the direction of Iran's purpose, however didn’t convert their possibilities, a lot to the delight of the big Iranian contingent positioned behind them.
Hidemasa Morita modified that together with his purpose within the twenty eighth minute and the small teams of Japanese followers scattered across the stadium lastly made their presence felt. Nonetheless, it did little to dissuade Group Melli supporters, who picked up their cheers and synchronized chants slightly extra.
The workforce, one of many oldest groups within the match, pulled up their socks after halftime and commenced a back-and-forth contest with the Samurai Blue as they regarded for an equalizer.
Maybe they had been out to impress their coach, Amir Ghalenoei, who had slammed the workforce for lacking a number of scoring alternatives in opposition to Syria of their sixteenth match on Thursday.
“I'm probably not pleased with the efficiency of some gamers, however I'm very pleased with the self-discipline we confirmed,” Ghalenoei had stated.
Iran's first purpose lastly got here 10 minutes into the second half, as Mohammed Mohebi headed Sardar Azmoun's cross into the Japanese purpose and despatched their followers right into a frenzy. Their unwavering assist had lastly paid off.
Greater than two-thirds of the spectators had been both wearing Iran's colours or carrying Iranian flags. Some, like Wafai Salar, had traveled from the Persian Gulf to assist his workforce.
He got here to Doha 10 days in the past from the western province of Lorestan to assist his workforce within the last levels of the match.
“We shouldn't doubt our workforce,” Salar advised Al Jazeera earlier than the match.
The assumption was echoed by 72-year-old tremendous fan Mohamed Mirza, who stated the workforce didn’t really feel the absence of their star striker Mehdi Taremi, who missed out resulting from his two yellow playing cards within the recreation in opposition to Syria.
“We have now 24 Taremis within the workforce,” he shouted after the match.
“I’ve lived in Qatar for many years and I’ve seen three Asian Cups right here, so now the workforce owes me a trophy,” Mirza stated earlier than resuming his chants for Iran.
Certainly, Ghalenoei's workforce confirmed they had been prepared for the problem in opposition to sturdy favorites Japan by defending their purpose and following via with runs within the Japanese half. One among these, late in stoppage time, resulted in Iran successful a penalty.
The late drama was an excessive amount of for some followers, who turned their backs on the pitch earlier than the penalty was taken by Jahanbakhsh. As soon as the ball was deposited within the prime left nook, pandemonium broke out within the stands and on the pitch. Iran's substitutes got here onto the pitch to rejoice and their followers jumped out of their seats.
Three minutes later, the referee's full-time whistle confirmed Japan's dismissal. The Japanese followers sitting behind their purpose held their heads of their arms and cried in agony and disbelief.
Throughout the aisle, nine-year-old Iran fan Ario can be crying. The dramatic last-minute penalty was an excessive amount of for the younger supporter to take.
“I used to be so nervous earlier than the penalty was taken, I peeled the pores and skin off my fingers,” he advised Al Jazeera as tears rolled down his cheek.
Ario, an Iranian-Canadian citizen, has by no means been to his dad and mom' nation of start, however would someday prefer to play for Group Melli.
“I get so excited each time I see them play, so I need to be like them someday,” he stated.
![Fan of Iranian football team Ario at Education City Stadium [Hafsa Adil/Al Jazeera]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240203_163244-1706981525.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C578)
Ghalenoei's males will give Ario and Iran's thousands and thousands of followers around the globe one other likelihood to journey the wave of pleasure after they tackle the winner of the Qatar vs Uzbekistan quarter-final in 4 days' time.
For old-timers like Mirza, it could but be a case of third-time fortunate if the three-time champions stroll away with the trophy on February 10.
