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.
Paris Saint-Germain shook off their Champions League hangover and resumed their canter towards another French title on Tuesday as they cruised to a 4-0 win in Dijon.
PSG win in 1st outing since Champions League nightmare
Antonio Conte (Italian pronunciation: [anˈtɔːnjo ˈkonte]; born 31 July 1969) is an Italian professional football manager and former player. He is the head coach at Serie A club Inter Milan . Playing as a midfielder , Conte began his career at local club Lecce and later became one of the most decorated and influential players in the history
Inter Milan name Antonio Conte as coach | football
Leaders Liverpool stumble, Chelsea collapse If more proof were needed of how unpredictable the Premier League can be it was provided on Wednesday as Liverpool blew a chance take a vice-like grip on the title race and Chelsea suffered their worst league defeat in 23 years.
Football: Leaders Liverpool stumble, Chelsea collapse
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was thrilled with his side's management of the game as they cruised to an easy 3-0 victory away to Premier League strugglers Fulham on Saturday afternoon. The Norwegian extended his impressive unbeaten run as interim boss as United moved into the Champions League places for the first time this […]
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer aims thinly veiled dig at Jose Mourinho
As with life, striking a balance in football is key to success and happiness. On Friday night in Busan, the Socceroos face Korea Republic in a curious clash, where a new-look squad will take on
Need for speed the answer to topple Thailand | Socceroos
Barca display solid defence. Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic beating Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Sergio Ramos to score the winning goal on Saturday. PHOTO: EPA-EFE.
Luis Enrique hails solid defensive display against Real Sociedad
a great 'keeper, a fine human So I am glad he saved my header - because that act was the start of a friendship between us that I will always treasure. Rest in peace, my friend.
How Much Cash Should You Keep in the Bank? - Investopedia
Sergio Aguero's hat-trick led Manchester City to a 3-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday and back into second place in the Premier League, two points behind leaders Liverpool. The victory put the pressure on Liverpool ahead off their trip to West Ham United on Monday.
Aguero hat-trick fires Man City to 3-1 win over Arsenal
Spurs lost 1-0 to Manchester City three days after Sissoko picked up a groin injury in the second leg of their stunning Champions League quarter-final victory over Pep Guardiola's men and
Landon Fox Hired to Lead Valpo Football Program
Lions hungry for post-raya victory, Football News & Top
Cristiano Ronaldo responds as Virgil van Dijk emerges as favourite for Ballon d'Or. Cristiano Ronaldo came up against Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk as Portugal beat Holland in the UEFA
Atletico spoil Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Madrid Juve's
And Milner believes the Reds' last two results are proof of how they are coming on under the German boss. "The longer the manager is here, the better we will get," he added. "You can see his style in the team more and more every time we play - that's becoming second nature to the boys.
James Milner - Wikipedia
The Qatar national team has officially named Felix Sanchez as their head coach, replacing Uruguayan Jorge Fossati.. The Spaniard becomes the team's third coach in less than a year. The Qatar
New Contract for Asian Cup Winning Coach Sanchez Soon, Says
0 comments:
Post a Comment