Asian Cup: Japan stun Iran in semi-final before Carlos Queiroz steps down
- ‘Emotional breakdown’ from favourites means 43-year wait for an Asian Cup continues
- Blue Samurai can become record five-time winners on Friday where they will meet hosts UAE or Qatar
Yuya Osako put Japan 1-0 up after half-time when the Iranian defence fatally stopped to remonstrate with the referee, and then stroked home the penalty awarded after a replay for Morteza Pouraliganji’s accidental hand ball.
Genki Haraguchi scored in stoppage time to complete a rout which had been wholly unexpected against a free-scoring Iran side which had banged in 12 unanswered goals en route to the semis.
It was the last hurrah for Iran’s long-serving coach Carlos Queiroz, who is leaving the team after nearly eight years at the helm, a reign that has included two World Cups.
Queiroz said the “innocent mistake” that led to the opening goal, when players surrounded the referee as Japan played on and scored, “destroyed (them) emotionally”.
“My players stopped and everyone was expecting the referee to take action for that incident,” he said, referring to a challenge on Takumi Minamino on the edge of the box.
