Chao News client reporter Ying Luyang.
In the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup, Japan was reversed by Iran 1-2. Courtesy of Visual China.
On the evening of February 3, Beijing time, the Asian Cup ushered in the last two 1 4 finals, in which the Japanese team was reversed 1-2, the "Persian Iron Horse" Iranian team advanced to the semi-finals, and the defending champion Qatar defeated Uzbekistan 3-2 in the penalty shootout to lock the last place in the semi-finals. The new Asian Cup semi-finals were born, including Jordan, South Korea, Iran and Qatar.
Japan, ranked 17th in the world and No. 1 in Asia, has always been regarded as the biggest favourites to win the Asian Cup. However, in football, any team can be an upset, and that's the beauty of the sport.
In the focus of the battle between Iran and Japan for a place in the semi-finals, the Persian Iron Riders had the last laugh in the single-game cup match with better performance and better luck, and broke into the semi-finals for two consecutive years, and also avenged the 0-3 elimination by the Blue Samurai in the semi-finals of the last Asian Cup.
This is the first time in nine years that Japan has stopped in the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup, and for the Blue Samurai, who are aiming to win the championship, such a result is really unsatisfactory for them.
After the game, Japan's head coach Mori Hoichi attributed the loss to his lack of good substitutions.
At the end of the first half, Japan went into the midfield with a 1-0 lead. In the 55th minute, Iran equalized the score. Hoichi Moriyasu brought on Kaoru Mikasa and Takumi Minamino in the 67th minute, but neither of them played very well after coming on.
Just when everyone thought that the game would go into extra time, the Japanese team made a mistake in the penalty area and tripped the attacking Iranian player Kanaani, and the referee Ma Ning decisively awarded a penalty, and the Iranian team achieved a 2-1 overtake. With little stoppage time left, the goal was the equivalent of a stunner.
In this Asian Cup, the Japanese team has actually had the problem of insufficient defensive instability in several games. In the group stage against Vietnam, Japan conceded two goals against their opponents, and goalkeeper Aya Suzuki and the back line performed uncharacteristically. In addition, the Japanese team also lost 1:2 to the Iraqi team, which caused an upset.
Asian Cup semi-final schedule (Beijing time):
February 6 23:00 Jordan vs South Korea.
February 7 23:00 Iran vs Qatar.
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