2024-02-04 13:04:50
Asian Cup: Mashal’s glove takes Al-Annabi to the semi-finals
Qatari goalkeeper Mishal Barshim led his country to the semi-finals of the Asian Cup, following saving three penalty kicks once morest his Uzbekistani opponent 3-2 in the match that took place at Al-Bayt Stadium, and the original and extra rounds ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Qatari team completed the final round of the semi-finals, setting up a date with its Iranian counterpart next Wednesday, in the match to determine the finalist. On the other hand, the meeting will be renewed in the other semi-final between Jordan and South Korea next Tuesday, at Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium.
The Qatari national team took the lead with a goal accidentally scored by Uzbekistan player Otker Yesipov into his own goal in the 27th minute, before Odiljon Hamrobykov equalized in the 59th minute.
Neither team succeeded in resolving matters in its favor, following the match’s regular time ended in a 1-1 draw, and two additional periods were called for without one of them succeeding in snatching the victory.
After the end of the match and two extra periods in a draw, penalty kicks were resorted to, which smiled at the Qatari team, which won 3-2.
Iran defeated Japan 2-1 at Education City Stadium.
Goalkeeper Mishal Barshim led Al-Annabi to the semi-finals by saving three penalty kicks (AP)
Iran has not been able to win once morest Japan for 19 years, and this victory extended the unbeaten streak under the leadership of coach Amir Qalinoui to 16 matches, since he took over the job last March.
Japan took the lead in the 28th minute, thanks to Hidmasa Morita following a powerful shot from inside the area.
But Iran turned the tables in the second half, and was able to score the equalizer in the 55th minute, through Mohamed Mohebi, with a low shot from inside the area.
Captain Ali Reza Jahanbakhsh played the starring role in the sixth minute of stoppage time, when he stepped forward to take a penalty kick and put the ball powerfully into the net.
The match started with caution on both sides and mutual control of the ball, but without creating any real danger to the goals.
Japan appeared better following the first quarter of an hour, with continuous attempts to penetrate Iran’s strong defense, which remained solid until the 28th minute, when Hidmasa Morita scored the lead goal following a ball received by the midfielder from outside the area, before he dribbled and shot powerfully, which Iran’s goalkeeper, Alireza Biranvand, tried to block. He kicked it with his foot, but the ball went into the net.
Iran overthrew Japan in the Asian semi-finals (Photo by: Ali Khamaj)
Sardar Azmoun tried to respond following one minute and shot powerfully from inside the area, but the defense barely cleared it, but the Iran striker was in an offside position.
Iran was active in search of scoring an equalizer before the end of the first half, and had more than one dangerous opportunity, most notably in the 39th minute, following Saman Ghoddos received the ball on his chest and shot strongly from the edge of the area, but the ball passed near the left post of Japan’s goal.
The second half brought with it great Iranian control of the ball in search of scoring an equalizer, but the danger in the first minutes was in favor of Japan.
Ayase Ueda missed the opportunity to increase the score in favor of Japan in the 51st minute following a cross pass from the left side. The striker met it with a header from a one-on-one position, but the ball went over the crossbar.
Japan continued to put pressure following a series of Iranian control, and Takefusa Kubo almost scored the second goal in the 53rd minute, but the shot went wide of the goal.
Iran scored the equalizer in the 55th minute following a through pass from Azmoun to Mohamed Mohebi, who received the ball, entered the area and hit a shot that went into the net.
Azmoun thought he scored Iran’s second goal in the 63rd minute, following a forward pass that passed the defense. The Iranian striker ran with the ball, then dribbled one of the defenders inside the area and put the ball intelligently into the net, but the referee canceled the goal due to offside.
Mohebi almost scored his second goal in the 67th minute following a cross pass from the right side, which he met with a header from inside the area, but the ball passed near the post.
Iran continued to be dangerous, and Azmoun hit a powerful header in the 72nd minute from inside the area following a cross pass from the left side, but the ball passed safely over the Japanese goal.
Iranian players demanded a penalty kick in the 86th minute following Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki interfered with Azmoun, but Chinese referee Ma Ning awarded a corner kick because there was no foul.
The referee awarded a penalty kick in favor of Iran in the third minute of stoppage time, following Ko Itakura obstructed Hussein Kanaani inside the area.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh stepped forward to take the penalty kick 3 minutes following it was awarded, hitting a powerful ball into the top right corner.
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