Asian Cup: Penalty controversy as Japan stun Iran to enter final

AL-AIN (United Arab Emirates): Japan benefited from a debatable penalty as they sent favourites Iran crashing 3-0 in the Asian Cup semi-finals to transport inside of one win of a record-extending 5th name on Monday.

Yuya Osako put Japan 1-0 up after half-time but it was once his penalty in a while afterwards, awarded following a video assessment, that knocked the stuffing out of Iran.

Takumi Minamino's cross hit Morteza Pouraliganji's arm as he slid in, however Australian referee Chris Beath blew for the spot-kick and stood by way of his resolution after looking at a replay.

Osako stroked home the spot kick to give Japan a 2-0 lead with 23 minutes to play, and there was once no coming again for Iran whose 43-year watch for a fourth Asian name goes on.

Genki Haraguchi then scored in stoppage time to finish a rout which had been wholly sudden after Japan's unimpressive performances up to now in the festival.

Carlos Queiroz's Iranian facet scored 12 unanswered targets on how to the final 4 however they lacked ideas towards a calm Japanese crew who seized their opportunities.

At a rocking Hazza Bin Stadium, Iran lobbed balls at target guy Sardar Azmoun at each opportunity but it was once Japan who seemed the biggest risk in the opening exchanges.

Captain Maya Yoshida headed over and Ritsu Doan noticed a shot trickle broad because the Blue Samurai were anything however cowed by way of the bodily Iran presence.

However, Shuichi Gonda needed to be sharp to keep out Azmoun from a good angle -- after the goalkeeper had talented Iran possession with a botched clearance.

The sport was once on a knife-edge however a misjudgement from Iranian defender Hossein Kanani tilted it Japan's means 11 minutes after half-time.


While Kanani was once protesting his innocence over an edge-of-the-box problem, Minamino performed on and crossed to Osako, whose glancing header put Japan forward.


It was once a body-blow for Iran, however worse was once to come back when Pouraliganji was once adjudged to have treated in the box, a choice that may have gone both means.


Osako stuck it away to all however silence the Iranian strengthen, who then needed to watch as Haraguchi stole in for the 3rd goal to make it a lopsided victory for Japan.


However, Japan will likely be buoyed by way of their very best efficiency of the tournament to this point, and they now take a 100 percent listing into Friday's ultimate towards Qatar or hosts the United Arab Emirates.
Asian Cup: Penalty controversy as Japan stun Iran to enter final Asian Cup: Penalty controversy as Japan stun Iran to enter final Reviewed by Kailash on January 29, 2019 Rating: 5
Powered by Blogger.