Ali Reda scored the winning goal for Iran in the final hour (French)
The Iranian national team scored a goal near the end to secure its qualification to the semi-finals of the Asian Cup, with a 2-1 victory over Japan in the quarter-final match that was held at Education City Stadium on Saturday.
Japan took the lead in the 28th minute thanks to Hidmasa Morita after 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 heroic 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.
Iran is looking forward to identifying its opponent in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup, from the confrontation that will bring together Qatar and Uzbekistan, which will be held later today, Saturday.
The Japanese team opens the score and takes the lead through Hidemasa Morita #AsiaCup | #AsiaCup2023 | #Iran_Japan #AsianCup2023 pic.twitter.com/0XR2PTeWmi
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 3, 2024
Iran scores against Japan and equalizes the score #Asia_Cup | #AsiaCup2023 | #Iran_Japan #AsianCup2023 pic.twitter.com/zpXJtJqNjt
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 3, 2024
Iran gets a penalty kick in the last breath #Asia_Cup | #AsiaCup2023 | #Iran_Japan #AsianCup2023 pic.twitter.com/IgCNyKJWBP
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 3, 2024
Source: Agencies