UAE upsets Japan to reach Asian Cup semi finals
The United Arab Emirates caused an AFC Asian Cup boil over, defeating reigning champions Japan in a penalty shootout in Sydney on Friday to advance to the semifinals.
Japan failed to hold their nerve from the spot, with both Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa missing penalties, as the United Arab Emirates won 5-4 to set up a semifinal with hosts Australia next week.
Earlier, Japan substitute Gaku Shibasaki cancelled out Ali Mabkhout's first-half goal. But in a hard fought contest, the United Arab Emirates would maintain their composure when it mattered most.
They joined Iraq in the semifinals of the Asian Cup after they defeated Iran via a penalty shootout following a thrilling match in Canberra.
Iran, who had played for 77 minutes with just 10 men, sent the match to a shootout following a tense 3-3 draw, with Iraq eventually claiming a 7-6 win from the spot.
But all eyes were on Sydney and on pre-tournament favourites Japan.
Japan had barely looked troubled throughout the group stages, but perhaps a sense of complacency set in, with the United Arab Emirates dominating the early stages of the match.
Mabkhout had an early opportunity, sent through on goal but seeing shot smothered by Eiji Kawashima.
However, he would regret the missed chance, giving the United Arab Emirates the lead just moments later. Killing the ball with his first touch, Mabkhout then lashed an unstoppable volley into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.
The goal sparked Japan into life, with Takashi Inui nearly leveling the scores soon after. However, he headed straight at Emirati keeper Majed Naser from close range.
Japan was finding it difficult to penetrate and could only muster half chances, with Honda then shooting into the side netting from an acute angle.
Their search for an equaliser went into the second half, but it was still the United Arab Emirates doing the majority of the attacking.
Omar Abdulrahman's terrific scooped pass fell for Mabkhout, but he rushed his volley and sliced a shot straight into Kawashima.
Japan eventually found their rhythm, but not the target. Half-time substitute Yoshinori Muto sent a free header over the bar from six yards out, before Kagawa's effort from a promising position was well saved by Naser.
Amid an uneventful period of extra time, the best chance of the match fell to Kagawa. However, he inexplicably put his shot inches wide from close range as the United Arab Emirates forced a shootout.
Kagawa would again miss a costly chance, as both he and Honda failed from 12 yards, with Ismael Ahmed's decisive penalty sending the United Arab Emirates into the final four of the competition.
Earlier, Iraq qualified for the semi finals of the Asian Cup for the second time in three attempts with a penalty shootout victory over Iran.
The match had ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw after 120 minutes, with Iraq eventually coming out triumphant via a 7-6 win from the spot.
Players of United Arab Emirates celebrate their victory against Japan after the quarterfinal match at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 23, 2015. United Arab Emirates defeated Japan after the extra time and penalty kick by 6-5 to enter the semifinal of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. [Qiu Zhongquan/Xinhua]Following a cagey start, Iran's first moment of quality produced the game's opening goal. Industrious work from Ashkan Dejagah set Vouria Ghafouri in the clear down the right flank.
Ghafouri's pinpoint cross then found Sardar Azmoun, who timed his leap to perfection before directing a bullet header into the bottom corner.
Iraq sought to claim an immediate equalizer, with Mahmood testing Alireza Haghighi with a low volley. But Iran was on top and had solidified their control of the match.
That was until yet another bizarre refereeing decision from Australian official Ben Williams. After a seemingly innocuous clash between Iran's Mehrdad Pooladi and Iraqi goalkeeper Jalal Hassan, the referee produced a second yellow for Pooladi.
It appeared as though the decision was for simulation, as the Iranian fell to the ground after being pushed by Hassan.
It shocked both the players and Iran's manager, Carlos Queiroz, who had to be physically restrained from approaching Williams as the two sides left the pitch for half time.
After the break, tempers continued to fray and Iraq began to profit from the extra man advantage.
Yaser Kasim's 30-yard volley nearly swerved into the top corner, only for Haghighi to make a smart save, before Ahmed Yasin eventually found a leveler.
Alaa Abdul Zahra' s cross from the left flank may have missed its intended target, however it fell to Yasin at the back post. The winger' s first-time shot wasn' t clean, but it squeezed into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
Iran's problems would get worse, with goal-scorer Azmoun withdrawn due to injury. However, they managed to dig in and blunt Iraq' s attack with just 10 men.
Although Iraq had 64 percent possession, they failed to create any noteworthy chances for the remainder of the half, with extra time required to decide the match for the second time in successive nights.
However, despite their scoring troubles throughout the opening 90 minutes, it took Iraq just three to claim the lead in extra time.
Younus Mahmood readjusted his body nicely to meet Dhurgham Ismail's deflected cross, producing a low header to beat an Iranian defender on the line and put Iraq in front.
But Iran refused to lie down. Attacking mainly from set pieces, they eventually scored from one. Imposing centre half Morteza Pouraliganji produced a towering header that flew into the top corner, leveling the scores once more.
However, four minutes from time, Pouraliganji would go from hero to villain. Diving into a reckless challenge, he brought down Yaser, with a penalty deservedly awarded.
Ismail stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way with a goal that seemingly put Iraq into the semi finals.
But, for the second time in extra time, Iran leveled. Entering the last minute of the match, Reza Ghoochannejhad saw his initial shot cleared off the line, before the next effort struck the crossbar. But the Iranian substitute wouldn't give in, nodding in the rebound to make it 3-3 and send the match to a penalty shootout.
Iran's Ehsan Hajsafi and Iraq's Saad Abdulameer both missed their first penalties, but composure soon returned with the next 12 spot kicks finding the target.
That was until Vahid Amiri struck the post with his decisive effort, meaning Salam Shakir' s successful shot from 12 yards sent Iraq through to a semi final against South Korea.
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