The hosts got the better of Uzbekistan 3-2 on penalties after the quarter-final fixture ended in a 1-1 draw, while Team Melli defeated Japan 2-1 to earn a place in the last four stage.
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Reigning champions Qatar will be bidding to reach consecutive AFC Asian Cup finals when they take on Iran in a semi-final fixture at Al Thumama Stadium on Wednesday. The hosts got the better of Uzbekistan 3-2 on penalties after the quarter-final fixture ended in a 1-1 draw, while Team Melli defeated Japan 2-1 to earn a place in the last four stage. The Iranians have never lost to the Maroons in their last ten encounters, winning six consecutive clashes, while not conceding in the last six meetings.
#AsianCup2023 semi-final fixtures:
🗓️ Tuesday – 6 February
🇯🇴🆚🇰🇷
⏰ 6pm
🏟️ Ahmad bin Ali Stadium🗓️ Wednesday – 7 February
🇮🇷🆚🇶🇦
⏰ 6pm
🏟️ Al Thumama Stadium#HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/Lpez1IK1OF— AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 (@Qatar2023en) February 5, 2024
Iran came-from-behind to secure a thrilling last ditch victory over pre-tournament favourites Japan in the last eight stage. The Samurai Blue went ahead through Hidemasa Morita’s 28th-minute opener, but Amir Ghalenoei’s men came out all guns blazing in the second-half and leveled the score thanks to Mohammad Mohebi’s 55th-minute effort. Though Japan had the majority of possession (59%), Team Melli looked the better side going forward and they deservedly found the winner six minutes into the injury time. Hossein Kanaanizadegan was brought down inside the box following a mix-up between the Japanese defenders and the referee pointed to the spot. Alireza Jahanbaksh stepped up and smashed the ball into the top left corner and thereby helped the Iranians progress to the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup for a second successive term.
Qatar, on the other hand, went through a roller coaster ride in their quarter-final fixture against an impressive Uzbekistan, before prevailing in the tie breaker thanks to goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham’s heroics. The Maroons took the lead through Hassan Al-Haydos’ opener in the 27th-minute, but the Uzbeks fought back to level the score thanks to Odiljon Hamrobekov’s effort on the hour-mark. After both sides failed to find the winner in 120 minutes of play, the match went to penalties where Akram Afif, Sultan Al-Brak and Pedro Miguel found the back of the net to help the Qatari’s win a second successive Asian Cup quarter-final clash. Meanwhile, Tintin Marquez’s side have been solid at the back, conceding only two goals from five games in the tournament so far. Moreover attacker Afif has already scored four goals in this edition of the Asian Cup, and is second in the race for the Golden Boot.
Iran probable starting lineup: Beiranvand, Rezaeian, Kanaanizadegan, Khalilzadeh, Hajsafi, Ezatolahi, Ghoddos, Jahanbakhsh, Taremi, Mohebi, Azmoun
Qatar probable starting lineup: Barsham, Al-Rawi, Mukhtar, Mendes, Ro-Ro, Gaber, Fatehi, Al-Haydos, Muneer, Ali, Afif
Iran
| Opponents | Score |
| Japan | 2-1 (W) |
| Syria | 2-1 (W) |
| UAE | 2-1 (W) |
| Hong Kong | 0-1 (W) |
| Palestine | 4-1 (W) |
Qatar
| Opponents | Score |
| Uzbekistan | 1(3)-(2)1 (W) |
| Palestine | 2-1 (W) |
| China | 1-0 (W) |
| Tajikistan | 0-1 (W) |
| Lebanon | 3-0 (W) |
| Last 5 match-results | Score |
| Iran beat Qatar | 0-4 |
| Iran beat Qatar | 1-2 |
| Iran beat Qatar | 0-1 |
| Iran beat Qatar | 2-0 |
| Iran beat Qatar | 0-1 |
The AFC Asian Cup fixture between Iran and Qatar will take place at Al Thumama Stadium on Wednesday at 8:30 pm IST.
| Iran vs Qatar | Key Details |
| Date | February 7 |
| Venue | Al Thumama Stadium |
| Kickoff time in Iran | 6:30 pm |
| Kickoff time in Qatar | 6:00 pm |
| Kickoff time in India | 8:30 pm |
The live streaming of the AFC Asian Cup matches in India will be available on Jio TV. Meanwhile, football fans in Qatar can watch the game on TOD, beIN Asian Cup and beIN Sports Connect.
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