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IRA vs QAT
Asian Cup
Al-Thumama Stadium, Al-Thumama
Iran
vs
Qatar
2
FT
3
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 2 - 3
Qatar will now face Jordan in the AFC Asian Cup final on the 10th of February at the Lusail Stadium. Given what we've seen in both semi-finals, the final should be cracker and you can join us for coverage for that game on the 10th. For now, I'm Andrew Smith and thank you for joining me. Until next time!
Where to start with the game? Well, I'll try sum it up as best I can, but this report won't do the game justice. It was back forth for the entirety of the contest. Sardar Azmoun fired Iran into the lead with an overhead kick in the fourth minute. Qatar responded with a deflected equalizer from Jassem Gaber in the 17th and Afif scored his fifth goal of the tournament with a brilliant individual effort in the 43rd — cutting into the box and lashing a shot beyond Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. Iran levelled the game again six minutes into the second half from the penalty spot as Alireza Jahanbakhsh converted after a handball from Ahmed Fathy. But Ali, who scored nine goals in the 2019 tournament, grabbed his second of this campaign when he fired low from inside the box late on. Iran were reduced to 10 men when Shoja Khalilzadeh was sent off for a foul on Afif, but Jahanbakhsh still came close to forcing extra time by hitting the post in the 14th minute of stoppage time.
QATAR ARE INTO THE FINAL! They have beaten the three-time winners and many who watched this game will wonder how. Iran had so many chances but were thwarted on several occasions by an inspired performance from Meshaal Barsham, who has come up clutch for his side here! Iran threw everything at Qatar at the end. Striking the post, drawing a stunning save from Barsham, a multitude of corners – with the keeper sent forward too – but Qatar hold on. Barsham is Qatar’s hero again with that last-gasp stop. How did Iran not equalise? They came so close on several occasions in the last few minutes. Perhaps the hosts were destined to carry on. Qatar are celebrating as though they have won the cup. They know how big a task this was against one of the greatest Asian sides in Iran. Three-time winners of this competition but giants for Asia on the global stage as well. The stadium has erupted, and Qatar’s players respond in turn.
90+17'
SAVE! Barsham saves the day! Iran flood the box and a long ball goes up from the back. Azmoun thinks he is the hero, freeing himself at the front post hammering a shot towards goal. It deflects out to Mohammad Mohebi who slices an effort which always takes a deflection, wrong footing Barsham but it made no difference as he dives to his right and keeps the ball out. Stunning stuff at the death!
90+14'
OFF THE POST! So close for Iran. What a bonkers end to this game. The loose ball falls to Jahanbakhsh who rifles an effort from the edge of the area. It takes a slight deflection and crashes off the post, before flying across the goal and away to safety. You can't get much closer.
90+13'
CHANCE! Qatar nearly kill it off. Forget what I said about Afif, he knows what he is doing. This time he does hold the ball in the corner but then spins Afagh and races into the box. He squares for Ali, who helps it onto Mohamad. He has an open goal but Kanaanizadegan flies across to make a crucial block!
90+11'
Afif's hold-up play is once again interesting. He has a chance to go into the corner as he collects the ball deep inside the Iran half, but instead decided to slip in Ali as the potential match winner tries to fashion a shot. Iran eventually clear and get back on it. Time running out!
90+8'
More concern for Iran as Taremi is down. Amir Ghalenoei can't afford to wait and takes him off right away. On comes Reza Asadi for the last few minutes. Can he be the hero?
R. Asadi
M. Taremi
90+8'