AFC Asian Cup: Japan cruise past Bahrain, Iran edge Syria on penalties
Japan and Iran secured the final two quarterfinal berths at the AFC Asian Cup.
DOHA, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Japan advanced to the AFC Asian Cup quarterfinals with a 3-1 win over Bahrain here on Wednesday, while Iran edged Syria 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Goals from Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo and Ayase Ueda helped Hajime Moriyasu's side outclass Bahrain, who had almost no chances except Ueda's own goal after a goalline scramble.
Japan took the lead in the 31st minute when Seiya Maikuma's shot from 25 yards hit the post and deflected to Doan, who stroke home in the box.
Japan doubled the lead just four minutes into the second half. Kubo gained possession in front of the Bahrain box and passed to Ueda. Hazza Ali tried to tackle the striker but only steered the ball to Kubo, who slotted past goalkeeper Lutfalla.
Bahrain hardly had chances to threaten Japan's goal, but Ueda and Suzuki's collision caused an own goal when the striker attempted to head the ball off the goalline in the 64th minute.
Kaoru Mitoma came off the bench along with Takumi Minamino four minutes later to make his debut in Doha.
On 72 minutes, Ueda made up for his earlier mistake, drilling the ball through Lutfalla's legs after having sprinted into Bahrain's area.
In another round-of-16 duel, Iran outplayed Syria but Omar Khribin's equalizer from the spot and Medhi Taremi's second yellow card in the second half forced a penalty shootout.
Iran's first chance came in the 8th minute when Alireza Jahanbakhsh set Sardar Azmoun free inside the box, but the forward's effort was blocked by goalkeeper Ahmed Madanieh and his follow-up half-volley was ruled out for offside.
Taremi's goal from the spot gifted Iran a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute.
Pablo Sabbag saved Syria after coming off the bench when he was brought down by goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. Khribin stepped up and converted the penalty in the 64th minute.
Taremi's second caution during stoppage time saw him sent him off and left Iran to struggle through extra time, before ultimately prevailing on penalties. ■