Japan cash in on Iran’s moment of madness

Japan cashed in on a defensive mix-up and a controversial penalty awarded by Australian referee Chris Beath.

Japan's forward Yuya Osako (C) heads the ball to score the opening goal against Iran. Picture: AFP

Japan cashed in on a defensive mix-up and a controversial penalty awarded by Australian referee Chris Beath as they stunned favourites Iran 3-0 in the Asian Cup semi-finals to move one win away from their fifth title.

Yuya Osako put Japan 1-0 up after halftime when the Iranian defence fatally stopped to remonstrate with Beath, and he then stroked home the penalty awarded after a replay for Morteza Pouraliganji’s accidental hand ball.

Genki Haraguchi scored in stoppage time to complete a rout that had been wholly unexpected against a free-scoring Iran side that had banged in 12 unanswered goals en route to the semis.

It was the last hurrah for Iran’s long-serving coach Carlos Queiroz, who is leaving the team after nearly eight years at the helm.

Queiroz said the “innocent mistake” that led to the first goal, when players surrounded the ref as Japan played on and scored, “destroyed (them) emotionally”.

“My players stopped and everyone was expecting the referee to take action for that incident,” he said, referring to a challenge on Takumi Minamino on the edge of the box.

“That moment created an emotional breakdown. After that, there was only one team on the pitch.”

Eleven minutes later, Mina­mino’s cross hit Pouraliganji’s arm as he slid in. Beath blew for the penalty and stood by his decision after watching a replay.

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

“My players had good preparation and showed great fighting spirit. They played as underdogs,” said Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, whose team will play Qatar or hosts United Arab Emirates in Friday’s final.

Queiroz’s Iran have been the form team of the Asian Cup but they lacked ideas against a calm Japanese team that seized its opportunities.

At a rocking Hazza Bin Stadium, Iran lobbed balls at target man Sardar Azmoun at every opportunity but it was Japan who looked the biggest threat in the opening exchanges. Captain Maya Yoshida and the Blue Samurai were anything but cowed by the physical Iran presence.

Japan will be buoyed by their best performance of the tournament so far, and with a 100 per cent record they shape as formidable opponents in Friday’s final.

AFP