ABU DHABI (REUTERS) - Regional heavyweights Iran underlined their Asian Cup title credentials with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Marcello Lippi's China on Thursday (Jan 24) to reach the semi-finals of the continental championship for the first time since 2004.
Goals from forwards Mehdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun and Karim Ansarifard combined with a record-equalling fifth straight clean sheet was enough to set up a last four date with four-times champions Japan in Al Ain next Monday.
Outmuscled by the physical Iranians and embarrassed by a series of defensive howlers, China sent World Cup-winning coach Lippi into almost certain retirement by exiting with barely a whimper at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
The lively Iranian forward line were allowed far too much space from the start and winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh sent a cross-shot whistling past the post in the fourth minute.
The massed ranks of Iran fans did not have to wait long for the first goal, though, and it came in the 18th minute from the simplest of long balls up the middle.
China defender Feng Xiaoting hesitated and Azmoun pounced, taking his time to turn before sliding the ball across the area to the unmarked Mehdi, who had all the time in the world to stroke it into the net.
Mehdi looked unlucky not to get a penalty three minutes later but the match official resisted Iranian pleas that he check with the video assistant referee (VAR), newly installed for the quarter-finals.
Â
Feng was hauled off in the 28th minute but two minutes later another Chinese defender was deceived by a long ball, Azmoun wrestling his way past Liu Yiming before rounding goalkeeper Yan Junling and slotting the ball into the net from an angle.
China came out with a little more purpose after the break and substitute Xiao Zhi ballooned a header over the bar but they were still caught in possession too often and Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand snuffed out anything too dangerous.
Fullback Ehsan Hajsafi drilled a low shot towards the China goal on the hour mark that Yan did well to push away and it looked like, as in their last 16 match against Oman at the same stadium, Iran would be unable to score after the break.
In stoppage time, however, Mehdi robbed China's Shi Ke on the halfway line and his pass sent Ansarifard clear to put the gloss on another emphatic step towards ending Iran's 43-year wait for a fourth continental title.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has once again underlined the importance of playing attacking football at Manchester United and says anyone who cannot handle that approach is 'at the wrong club'. The
Latest News -Ole Gunnar Solskjaer aims dig at Chris Smalling
Entornointeligente.com / London , United Kingdom (AFP) — Liverpool powered back to the top of the Premier League as Xherdan Shaqiri inspired a 3-1 win over bitter rivals Manchester United, while
Liverpool back on top as Shaqiri sinks United, Arsenal's
Return To Game. Scores reset in: Games › Action › By clicking "Add Starship Gunner to Your Website", you agree to the Webmaster Terms and Conditions.
Jason Momoa: 'It's Impossible' for Drogo to Return for 'Game
UPDATE 1-U.S. businesses optimistic on China growth, bemoan unfair treatment. 1/29/2018 * Report says U.S. companies more confident China will open up
IS 'Beatles' duo bemoan unfair media coverage - YouTube
Football: Solskjaer praises buccaneering Man United players after stylish win CARDIFF, United Kingdom (AFP) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised his Manchester United players after they gave him the perfect start to his reign with a 5-1 victory at Cardiff just days after Jose Mourinho was sacked.
Solskjaer praises buccaneering Man Utd players after stylish win
What Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and new coaching team will change at Manchester United. Man Utd have appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their new interim manager and MEN Sport caught up with key figures
Jose Mourinho: In defence of the Chelsea manager, who should
Banks was best known for the stunning one-handed save from a Pele bullet header that bounced awkwardly in front of him during England's group-stage game against Brazil at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
Players and fans pay tribute as England World Cup-winning
Football: West Ham's Michail Antonio scores winner as Spurs suffers first loss at new stadium Related Story Football: Southampton stay up after thrilling 3-3 draw with Bournemouth
Tottenham suffer first loss at new stadium as Michail Antonio
fifa-livescores.com/news/107756/ALL/Tottenham-suffer-first-loss-at-new-stadium-as-Michail-Antonio-hits-winner-for-West-Ham
Tottenham suffer first loss at new stadium as Michail Antonio hits winner for West Ham, West Ham became the first opposition team to win at Tottenham's new stadium after a Michail Antonio goal gave them a 1-0 victory. , West Ham became the first opposition team to win at Tottenham's new stadium after a Michail Antonio goal gave them a 1-0 victory.
Tottenham 0-1 West Ham: Spurs lose for first time in their
ǁFacebook:
Arsenal boss Unai Emery has told the Gunners to refocus and salvage their season against Valencia after Leicester dealt a hammer blow to their Champions League hopes.
Backline conundrum for Arsenal's Emery in Wolves' lair
Aston Villa returned to the Premier League, after a three-year absence, beating Derby County 2-1 in the Championship playoff final at Wembley. on Monday.. Goals from Anwar El Ghazi and John McGinn put Villa 2-0 up before Martyn Waghorn pulled one back for Derby in the 81st minute, but Dean Smith's side held on for the victory under intense pressure.
Aston Villa in Premier League heaven with play-off Wembley
0 comments:
Post a Comment