ABU DHABI (REUTERS) - Regional heavyweights Iran underlined their Asian Cup title credentials with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Marcello Lippi's China on Thursday (Jan 24) to reach the semi-finals of the continental championship for the first time since 2004.
Goals from forwards Mehdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun and Karim Ansarifard combined with a record-equalling fifth straight clean sheet was enough to set up a last four date with four-times champions Japan in Al Ain next Monday.
Outmuscled by the physical Iranians and embarrassed by a series of defensive howlers, China sent World Cup-winning coach Lippi into almost certain retirement by exiting with barely a whimper at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
The lively Iranian forward line were allowed far too much space from the start and winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh sent a cross-shot whistling past the post in the fourth minute.
The massed ranks of Iran fans did not have to wait long for the first goal, though, and it came in the 18th minute from the simplest of long balls up the middle.
China defender Feng Xiaoting hesitated and Azmoun pounced, taking his time to turn before sliding the ball across the area to the unmarked Mehdi, who had all the time in the world to stroke it into the net.
Mehdi looked unlucky not to get a penalty three minutes later but the match official resisted Iranian pleas that he check with the video assistant referee (VAR), newly installed for the quarter-finals.
Â
Feng was hauled off in the 28th minute but two minutes later another Chinese defender was deceived by a long ball, Azmoun wrestling his way past Liu Yiming before rounding goalkeeper Yan Junling and slotting the ball into the net from an angle.
China came out with a little more purpose after the break and substitute Xiao Zhi ballooned a header over the bar but they were still caught in possession too often and Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand snuffed out anything too dangerous.
Fullback Ehsan Hajsafi drilled a low shot towards the China goal on the hour mark that Yan did well to push away and it looked like, as in their last 16 match against Oman at the same stadium, Iran would be unable to score after the break.
In stoppage time, however, Mehdi robbed China's Shi Ke on the halfway line and his pass sent Ansarifard clear to put the gloss on another emphatic step towards ending Iran's 43-year wait for a fourth continental title.
LONDON: Manchester City retained the Premier League title in style on Sunday May 12), holding their nerve to come from behind and thrash Brighton to hold off a charging Liverpool after a
Football: Manchester City retain Premier League title after 4
Liverpool's Klopp Fined Over Referee Comments Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was fined £45,000 ($59,000) by the Football Association on Thursday for suggesting referee Kevin Friend had favoured West Ham in his side's 1-1 draw at the London Stadium earlier this month.
Liverpool's Klopp fined over referee comments - Daily Nation
Rescuers said on Thursday they had ended the search for the plane carrying Premier League player Emiliano Sala which disappeared over the English Channel three days ago, adding the chances of
UK rescuers end search for missing plane carrying soccer
PARIS (REUTERS) - Thierry Henry was suspended by Monaco on Thursday (Jan 24) and looked set to lose his job as coach after only three months in charge at the Ligue 1 club, with former manager
Suspended Thierry Henry set to lose Monaco job | football
Germany's Women's World Cup advert: 'We play for a nation that doesn't even know our names' - Duration: 1:27. Guardian Football 104,366 views
Women′s World Cup: Germany snatch fortunate win over China
Klopp confirms Firmino fitness for Champions League final
Brighton Edge Into FA Cup Quarter-Final reacts after fumbling a save during the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Derby County at the American
Antoine Griezmann admits move away from Atletico Madrid is edging nearer as he closes in on Barcelona switch: 'I know where I'll be playing next season' Antoine Griezmann has revealed his move
Barcelona boss gives Antoine Griezmann transfer update as
After Vincent Kompany's decision to join boyhood club Anderlecht as player-manager, we reflect on his best moments at Manchester City. Vincent Kompany said he had "lived the dream" as he
Vincent Kompany after FA Cup win: Man City are best team in
Hammers pack a punch: Klopp LONDON • West Ham may have a raft of injury problems, with a number of key players either missing or rated touch and go, but Jurgen Klopp is not taking their trip to the London Stadium lightly as their opponents are "nearly a top-six side".
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool players needed hammer to 'punch
Football: Southampton stun fading Spurs, Newcastle edge five-goal Everton thriller Tottenham's Harry Kane reacts as Southampton's Maya Yoshida looks on at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain
Southampton stun fading Spurs, Newcastle edge five-goal
Football: Jesus shines as City regain top spot, Eriksen fires Spurs Manchester City's Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus (second right) celebrates scoring with team mates. PHOTO: AFP
Football Jesus shines as City regain top spot, Eriksen fires
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen