UAE stun Japan to reach Asian Cup semi-finals
The sides were locked at 1-1 after 120 minutes before defending champs lost on penalties.
UAE, enjoying their best run at the Asian Cup since finishing runners-up in 1996, will face hosts Australia in the semi-finals after a stunning victory over the Blue Samurai. PHOTO: AFP
SYDNEY:
Japan were sent crashing out of the Asian Cup yesterday as the UAE shocked the defending champions 5-4 on penalties after a pulsating quarter-final.
Substitute Ismail Ahmed delivered the knockout blow after Japanese superstars Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa had both missed their spot kicks, sending the UAE through to the last four after a war of attrition in Sydney that finished 1-1 after extra time.
The Gulf side, enjoying their best run at the Asian Cup since finishing runners-up in 1996, will face hosts Australia in the semi-finals after their stunning victory over the Blue Samurai.
The Emirates side exploded from the blocks, striker Ali Mabkhout smashing home a fierce volley after just seven minutes for his fourth goal of the tournament, but refused to celebrate out of respect for Saudi King Abdullah, who died earlier in the day.
With Japan teetering on the brink of a shock defeat, substitute Gaku Shibasaki rifled in the equaliser from the edge of the box after 81 minutes following a neat lay-off from Honda.
Iraq stun 10-man Iran
Salam Shakir scored the winning spot-kick as Iraq stunned 10-man Iran 7-6 on penalties to reach the Asian Cup semis in a match filled with high drama between the arch-rivals yesterday.
In a sensational quarter-final at Canberra Stadium, the sides were locked at 1-1 at full-time before Iran twice came from behind in extra-time to force penalties.
Iran had been a man down since Mehrdad Pooladi was sent off for a second yellow card late in the first half, sparking a furious reaction from coach Carlos Queiroz.
But their heroics were in vain when Vahid Amiry struck the post with the 15th spot-kick, and Shakir stepped up to coolly slot the winner for the 2007 champions.
Iraq now go into a semi-final against South Korea, while three-time winners Iran were left fuming at the abrupt end to their promising campaign.
“You can imagine how I feel but I cannot express it because if I say what I feel and tell the truth about what everyone saw in the game I will get punished,” said coach Queiroz. “I am proud of the way my players fought, they are in my heart and deserve every respect.”
Baghdad erupts in joy
Gunfire is not unusual in Baghdad but the salvos that rang out across the city were fired by thousands of fans celebrating the Iraqi football team’s win.
Traffic jams formed on the streets of the capital, with young men spilling out of cars, chanting and waving the red, white and black flag of Iraq.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2015.
Japan were sent crashing out of the Asian Cup yesterday as the UAE shocked the defending champions 5-4 on penalties after a pulsating quarter-final.
Substitute Ismail Ahmed delivered the knockout blow after Japanese superstars Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa had both missed their spot kicks, sending the UAE through to the last four after a war of attrition in Sydney that finished 1-1 after extra time.
The Gulf side, enjoying their best run at the Asian Cup since finishing runners-up in 1996, will face hosts Australia in the semi-finals after their stunning victory over the Blue Samurai.
The Emirates side exploded from the blocks, striker Ali Mabkhout smashing home a fierce volley after just seven minutes for his fourth goal of the tournament, but refused to celebrate out of respect for Saudi King Abdullah, who died earlier in the day.
With Japan teetering on the brink of a shock defeat, substitute Gaku Shibasaki rifled in the equaliser from the edge of the box after 81 minutes following a neat lay-off from Honda.
Iraq stun 10-man Iran
Salam Shakir scored the winning spot-kick as Iraq stunned 10-man Iran 7-6 on penalties to reach the Asian Cup semis in a match filled with high drama between the arch-rivals yesterday.
In a sensational quarter-final at Canberra Stadium, the sides were locked at 1-1 at full-time before Iran twice came from behind in extra-time to force penalties.
Iran had been a man down since Mehrdad Pooladi was sent off for a second yellow card late in the first half, sparking a furious reaction from coach Carlos Queiroz.
But their heroics were in vain when Vahid Amiry struck the post with the 15th spot-kick, and Shakir stepped up to coolly slot the winner for the 2007 champions.
Iraq now go into a semi-final against South Korea, while three-time winners Iran were left fuming at the abrupt end to their promising campaign.
“You can imagine how I feel but I cannot express it because if I say what I feel and tell the truth about what everyone saw in the game I will get punished,” said coach Queiroz. “I am proud of the way my players fought, they are in my heart and deserve every respect.”
Baghdad erupts in joy
Gunfire is not unusual in Baghdad but the salvos that rang out across the city were fired by thousands of fans celebrating the Iraqi football team’s win.
Traffic jams formed on the streets of the capital, with young men spilling out of cars, chanting and waving the red, white and black flag of Iraq.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2015.