AFC - Yuya Osako returned to Japan’s starting line-up to score a second half brace and seal the Samurai Blue’s spot in the final of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 as Hajime Moriyasu’s side defeated the Islamic Republic of Iran 3-0 at Al Ain’s Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Monday.

Osako, who was included from the start for the first time since sustaining a hip injury in Japan’s opening game, put the four-time champions in front 11 minutes after the interval before doubling his side’s lead midway through the half from the penalty spot.

The Werder Bremen striker’s double – and Genki Haraguchi’s late third - sent his nation into their fifth AFC Asian Cup final since 1992 and they will face the winners of the semi-final between the United Arab Emirates and Qatar in the decider on Friday.

Both sides made one change from the line-ups that started their respective quarter-finals, with Carlos Queiroz picking Vahid Amiri to replace the suspended Mahdi Karimi while Osako finally returned to lead the line for Japan in place of Koya Kitagawa.

Iran started aggressively and, 10 minutes into the game, Alireza Jahanbakhsh almost played in Sardar Azmoun, only for the awareness of Takehiro Tomiyasu to deny the Iran striker. Their battle was to be a feature of the opening 45 minutes, with Tomiyasu consistently coming out on top. 

For all Iran’s determination, it was the Japanese who first unlocked the opposing defence as Osako’s ball found space behind Jahanbakhsh and the advancing Yuto Nagatomo sent in a low cross that Takumi Minamino could only steer wide.

That, though, sparked a period of Japanese pressure, with Maya Yoshida heading wide from Gaku Shibasaki’s corner while Ritsu Doan dragged his attempt just wide of goal.

The action continued in a breakneck opening 30 minutes, with Azmoun denied by Shuichi Gonda, the FC Tokyo goalkeeper saving well with his foot to make amends after gifting possession to the Iranians seconds earlier. 

Iran continued to press in the opening minutes of the second half as Ashkan Dejagah and Hajisafi both saw their attempts miss the target before a moment of indecision cost Queiroz’s side the opening goal.

Hossein Kanani turned to protest to referee Chris Beath following a collision with Minamino and, while the Australian official ignored the Iranian pleas, Minamino showed the presence of mind to scamper after the ball. His inch perfect cross allowed Osako to head home.

Jahanbakhsh almost restored parity five minutes later, only for Gonda to tip his free-kick over the bar while Morteza Pouraliganji headed just off target moments later. 

But, just as Iran were gaining momentum, the Japanese doubled their lead.

Minamino was again involved, this time trying to cut his pass back into the centre when the ball struck the sliding Pouraliganji on the arm. Beath paused before pointing to the spot and, after his decision was confirmed via a VAR review, Osako send Alireza Beiranvand the wrong way.

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The second goal took the fight out of the Iranians and in added time Haraguchi added the third with a burst through the defence before smashing his shot past Beiranvand to confirm Japan’s progress to the final.

Comments (4)

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Anonymous fri,mar 29 2019

This was by far the worst TM 'loss since Carlos became TM coach. He 

certainly was out coached. Japan controlled the tempo of the match. Our 

mid field was really bad. Dejagah ,Ebrahimi,Amiri had really bad game.

Ashk...

Anonymous fri,mar 29 2019

This was by far the worst TM 'loss since Carlos became TM coach. He 

certainly was out coached. Japan controlled the tempo of the match. Our 

mid field was really bad. Dejagah ,Ebrahimi,Amiri had really bad game.

Ashkan probably played his worst game for Iran. Jahanbaksh also was bad.

Beiranvand could have easily  prevented Japan's first goal if he had read the

the play well. Taremi's absance really hurt Iran . Sardar played really well, 

but he was not supported. Our defense also made childish mistakes. Ramin 

Rezaian along with Dejagah ,Ebrahimi weak play helped Japan to mount 

their attack from our right side , and getting all 3 goals as the result.

However ,I like to thank Carlos for the wonderful work he did  to improve

football in Iran under very difficult conditions. 
 

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Anonymous
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Quieroz is a defensive minded coach and keeping him four 8 years was wrong. He fixed the defense and midfield but never front, attackers. Iran always played well just defending not scoring,their wins always 1 or two goals against B teams. Iran...

Quieroz is a defensive minded coach and keeping him four 8 years was wrong. He fixed the defense and midfield but never front, attackers. Iran always played well just defending not scoring,their wins always 1 or two goals against B teams. Iran struggled against Iraq and Oman,If In this tournament Quieroz had players like Ali Karime,Mehdi Mahdavikia ,Javad Nekonam or Khodadad Azizi definitely would have beat Japan and go on and lift the cup for fourth time. He coudn't do it with this team.They are better players in Iran than Haji Safi ,Azomun or taremi.    

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Anonymous
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Shit tactics from the coach when he went to sub Ansarifard in he confused the whole team and then he benched him. Iran conceded the goal and he brings him on. 
Same old Iran - arguing with the referee. Why? 
The team has a captain why does every...

Shit tactics from the coach when he went to sub Ansarifard in he confused the whole team and then he benched him. Iran conceded the goal and he brings him on. 
Same old Iran - arguing with the referee. Why? 
The team has a captain why does every Iranian player question the referee in every situation? Isn’t that the captains job? 
Dejagah can’t control the team. 
Kept playing long balls to Azmoun.. it didn’t work all night and we had no plan B. 
Jahanbakhsh was invisible all night except his free kick - Amiri couldn’t replace Taremi. 
Why Hajsafi gets a start in front of Ghoddos I don’t understand. 
Azmoun got stood over by the Japanese.. 

Quieroz must feel like Lippi right now. I really like and he’s done a lot for Iran football but  in this match he lost tactically and with coaching philosophy.  

Bring in Branko 

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Anonymous
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امروز روزه تیم ملی نبود و اشتباهات فردی و تیمی زیاد بود به همین دلیل نتیجه رو به ژاپن واگذار کردیم.
اشتباهات از سمت مربی نبود بلکه بازیکنان اشتباهات بچگانه انجام دادند، تیمی که به این سادگی کنترل بازی را از دست بدهد نتیجه ای جز این نخواهد گرفت.
پن...

امروز روزه تیم ملی نبود و اشتباهات فردی و تیمی زیاد بود به همین دلیل نتیجه رو به ژاپن واگذار کردیم.
اشتباهات از سمت مربی نبود بلکه بازیکنان اشتباهات بچگانه انجام دادند، تیمی که به این سادگی کنترل بازی را از دست بدهد نتیجه ای جز این نخواهد گرفت.
پنج کلین شیت ولی در مقابل تیمهای دسته دو و سه اسیا و ژاپن تیم دسته یک اسیا بود که نشان دادند از ما بهتر هستند

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