- Japan beat Iran to reach Asian Cup final
- Second-half goals from Yuya Osako (2) and Genki Haraguchi make the difference
- Samurai Blue will meet Qatar or hosts UAE in tournament decider
Three second-half goals saw Japan ease past in-form IR Iran to reach their fifth AFC Asian Cup final, denying their opponents a first appearance in the continental decider since 1976.
FIFA.com reviews the first semi-final at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
IR Iran 0-3 Japan (AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 semi-final)
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The two sides stand for the national anthems
28 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 28: The two sides stand for the national anthems during the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Iran and Japan at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 28, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)
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Iran pose for a team photo
28 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 28: Iran pose for a photo during the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Iran and Japan at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 28, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)
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Japan pose for a team photo
28 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 28: Japan pose for a team photo during the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Iran and Japan at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 28, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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Sardar Azmoun of Iran and Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan clash
28 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 28: Azmoun Sardar of Iran and Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan clash during the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Iran and Japan at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 28, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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Safi Ehsan Haji of Iran is closed down by Watura Endo and Takumi Minamino of Japan
28 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 28: Safi Ehsan Haji of Iran is closed down by Watura Endo and Takumi Minamino of Japan during the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Iran and Japan at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 28, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)
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Takumi Minamino of Japan tackles Kanani Zadeghan Mohammadhossein of Iran
28 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 28: Takumi Minamino of Japan tackles Kanani Zadeghan Mohammadhossein of Iran during the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Iran and Japan at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 28, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)
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Yuya Osako of Japan celebrates after scoring his side's first goal
28 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 28: Yuya Osako of Japan celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Iran and Japan at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 28, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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Yuya Osako of Japan celebrates after scoring his side's first goal
28 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 28: Yuya Osako of Japan celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Iran and Japan at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 28, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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Yuya Osako of Japan celebrates after scoring his side's first goal with team mates
28 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 28: Yuya Osako of Japan celebrates after scoring his sides first goal with team mates during the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Iran and Japan at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 28, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)
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Yuya Osako of Japan scores his and his side's second goal
28 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 28: Yuya Osako of Japan scores his and his sides second goal during the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Iran and Japan at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 28, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)
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Yuya Osako of Japan celebrates after he scores his and his side's second goal
28 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 28: Yuya Osako of Japan celebrates after he scores his and his sides second goal during the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Iran and Japan at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 28, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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Genki Haraguchi of Japan scores his side's third goal
28 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 28: Genki Haraguchi of Japan scores his side's third goal during the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Iran and Japan at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 28, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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Genki Haraguchi of Japan celebrates with teammates
28 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 28: Genki Haraguchi of Japan celebrates with team mates as scores his side's third goal during the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Iran and Japan at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 28, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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The Japan players celebrate victory
28 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 28: The Japan players celebrate during the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Iran and Japan at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 28, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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The Japan players celebrate
28 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 28: The Japan players celebrate during the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Iran and Japan at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 28, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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The Japan players celebrate
28 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 28: The Japan players celebrate during the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Iran and Japan at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 28, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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Players of Iran show their emotions following defeat
28 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 28: Players of Iran show their emotions following defeat in the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Iran and Japan at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 28, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)
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IR Iran 0-3 Japan
Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
Both sides have had impressive moments up front at the Asian Cup, but at the back the pair have been absolutely rock solid. While Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand had yet to be beaten, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Maya Yoshida had been colossal at the heart of Japan’s backline. It’s perhaps fitting then that defensive concentration played a huge role in deciding this match.
The match began in a fiercely competitive fashion, though Iran’s high-pressure attacking intensity was nullified somewhat by Japan’s composure in possession. Even so, Sardar Azmoun remained the livewire threat he has been for much of the tournament, exemplified when forcing Shuichi Gonda into a smart save following a tasty pair of nutmegs.
Japan showed flashes going forward but Iran remained the brighter right into the second half, until a lapse at the back by Carlos Queiroz’s side changed that. Takumi Minamino showed great endeavour to play on after being brought down on the edge of the box, while Iran looked to the referee. His cross picked out Yuya Osako, who nodded past Beiranvand, rocking Team Melli’s firm foundations—Iran had yet to concede a goal at UAE 2019 until then.
The same pair were involved in the second, as Minamino’s cross struck the arm of Morteza Pouraliganji in the box, with Osako duly dispatching from the penalty spot. From that point on Japan looked the most likely to notch another, despite Iran throwing all they had forward. The icing on the cake for Hajime Moriyasu’s side came in injury time when Genki Haraguchi broke forward to coolly slot Japan into the final.
Up next
Semi-final
Qatar-United Arab Emirates
29 January, Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
