Sporting midfielder Hidemasa Morita scored Japan’s goal against Iran this Saturday, which was still not enough to avoid a 2-1 defeat that allowed the Iranians to reach the semi-finals of the Asian Cup.
At the Education City Stadium in Al Rayan, the Leonin player gave the Japanese the lead in the 28th minute and emulated the celebration thrown by Swede Victor Gyokeres, his Alvalade teammate.
However Iran, who were without suspended Porto striker Mehdi Taremi, equalized in the second half through Mohammad Mohebi in the 55th minute and came back 90+6 from the penalty spot in stoppage time. Alireza Jahanbakhsh.
The Iranians, who have already won the Asian Cup three times, reach the semi-finals, the same stage where they were knocked out by the Japanese (record holders with four trophies) in the last edition, in 2019.
In the semi-finals, the Persian team will face hosts Qatar or Uzbekistan, who will play the final quarter-final match this Saturday at 15:30.
The other Asian Cup semi-final has already been decided: Jordan will face South Korea.