Asian Cup 2015: UAE coach Madhi Ali questions appointment of Japanese referee after Iran loss
UAE coach Mahdi Ali questioned the appointment of a Japanese referee for his side’s group-deciding Asian Cup clash with Iran at Suncorp Stadium.
Asian Cup
Don't miss out on the headlines from Asian Cup. Followed categories will be added to My News.
UNITED Arab Emirates coach Mahdi Ali questioned the appointment of a Japanese referee for his side’s group-deciding Asian Cup clash with Iran at Suncorp Stadium.
A late header from substitute Reza Ghoochannejhad secured Iran a 1-0 win to secure top spot in Group C and condemn UAE to a likely quarter-final meeting with tournament favourites Japan.
Ali believed the goal should have been disallowed for offside, claiming it was among a string of decisions from referee Ryuji Sato that went against UAE.
IRAN STRIKE LATE TO TAKE TOP SPOT FROM UAE
BAHRAIN SEND QATAR HOME EMPTY HANDED
PALESTINE OFFERS SOCCEROOS FRIENDLY
The UAE coach is likely to earn the ire of the Asian Football Confederation for hinting that Ryuji favoured Iran to ensure likely Group D winners Japan would avoid a quarter-final against Asia’s highest-placed nation in the FIFA rankings, and instead meet his team in the last eight.
Ryuji also booked UAE defender Walid Abbas, a caution that will see him miss the quarter-final due it being his second caution of the tournament.
“I’m just surprised how the game was given to a Japanese referee and maybe we play against Japan,” Ali said.
“It’s very strange. I think this question has to be transferred to the AFC to comment on this.”
GOAL CENTRE: Watch every Asian cup goal & vote for your favourite
Iran coach Carlos Quieroz would not discuss the referee, fearing another sanction following his $3000 fine for criticising Australian whistleblower Ben Williams earlier in the tournament.
“I don’t want to make any more donations,” Quieroz said.
However, Quieroz was happy to discuss the performance of both sides in one of the better matches of the tournament.
“(UAE are) at least the best football team in west Asia. It’s very difficult to play against them because they play like a club team,” he said.
“I would like to congratulate my players.”
Iran’s quarter-finals opponents are expected to be Iraq, who should have no trouble beating Group D minnows Palestine on Tuesday.
Despite Iran having the better chances during Monday night’s contest, UAE can consider themselves unlucky not to have secured the point they needed to top the group.
UAE playmaker Omar Abdulrahman was sheer class and clearly the best player on the park despite Ghoochannejhad being named the official man-of-the-match.
Abdulrahman was superb in the middle of the park and deserved a better reward for his performance.
“He’s a talented player and he has a good future,” Ali said the 23-year-old Abdulrahman.
Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: UAE coach Madhi Ali questions appointment of Japanese referee after Iran loss
Fowler keen to clear the air on Paris flop
Accusations of “pampering” were thrown at the Matildas following their disappointing exit at the Paris Olympic Games.
Huge concerns for new AFC Women’s Champions League
It hasn’t kicked off yet but FIFPRO Asia have serious concerns about the financial strain the AFC Women’s Champions League will have on clubs, athletes’ welfare and disruptions to domestic competitions.