Hosts and defending champions Qatar beat Iran 3-2 in a thrilling Asian Cup semi-final on Wednesday at Al Thumama Stadium where striker Almoez Ali scored the winner to set up a title clash with Jordan.
Iran opened the scoring when Sardar Azmoun scored with an overhead kick in the fourth minute but Qatar equalised when Jassem Gaber‘s shot from range took a deflection and looped over goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand into the net.
The hosts had the upper hand when Akram Afif danced into the box and scored a scorcher just before halftime but Iran levelled when they won a penalty for handball, with Alireza Jahanbakhsh putting away the spot kick to make it 2-2.
But with time running out, Ali — top scorer in 2019 — scored the winner for Qatar when he turned and fired into the bottom corner while Iran’s hopes of a comeback took a hit when Shojae Khalilzadeh was sent off late in the game.
Qatar will look to win their second title when they play first-time finalists Jordan on Saturday.
Iran vs Qatar latest news
Good bye!
17:23 , Jonathan Gorrie
Thanks for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Qatar’s thrilling over Iran!
Find our full report below!
Qatar to play Jordan in Asian Cup final after Iran thriller
17:22 , Jonathan Gorrie
Defending Asian Cup champions Qatar will meet Jordan in the final after beating Iran in a dramatic semi-final.
Read our full report here!
FT: Iran 2-3 Qatar
17:11 , Jonathan Gorrie
They’ve done it! Qatar have made it back to the final.
Iran 2-3 Qatar
17:10 , Jonathan Gorrie
117 mins: There surely can’t be much longer to go now!
Iran 2-3 Qatar
17:07 , Jonathan Gorrie
103 mins: OFF THE POST!
Iran smack the post in the last minute!
Iran 2-3 Qatar
17:06 , Jonathan Gorrie
102 mins: Qatar so close to wrapping it up in the last minute but Iran clear their lines.
They’re running out of time!
Iran 2-3 Qatar
17:03 , Jonathan Gorrie
99 mins: It’s all hands on deck for Qatar now! Iran have to throw everything at this.
Iran 2-3 Qatar
16:58 , Jonathan Gorrie
93 mins: RED CARD!
Iran’s task is so much harder now Khalilzadeh has been given his marching orders after VAR determined he was the last man when bringing down Afif.
Iran 2-3 Qatar
16:54 , Jonathan Gorrie
90 mins: Into the dying embers now!
Can Iran find a winner? They’re not creating too much right now but we have 13 minutes added on,
Iran 2-3 Qatar
16:46 , Jonathan Gorrie
81 mins: GOAL!
This semi-final takes another stunning turn! Almoez blocks his own teammate’s shot but it’s already behind the Iran backline!
He has space to swivel and fire into the bottom corner!
Iran 2-2 Qatar
16:39 , Jonathan Gorrie
75 mins: OFF THE LINE!
Qatar twice block headers on the line from Taremi and Azmoun!
Iran 2-2 Qatar
16:38 , Jonathan Gorrie
74 mins: Qatar look the more happy to play for extra-time and penalties here.
Iran trying to force the issue.
Iran 2-2 Qatar
16:33 , Jonathan Gorrie
69 mins: Iran throwing everything at this. Forcing corner after corner but its not leading to much.
Iran 2-2 Qatar
16:29 , Jonathan Gorrie
64 mins: Azmon goes close with a header but Qatar clear their lines.
Iran 2-2 Qatar
16:22 , Jonathan Gorrie
58 mins: There’s more goals in this. Both teams look dangerous going forward.
Iran 2-2 Qatar
16:18 , Jonathan Gorrie
54 mins: Thrilling game this!
Qatar so close to finding a third seconds after conceding but Iran just about clear their lines.
Iran 2-2 Qatar
16:15 , Jonathan Gorrie
50 mins: Jahanbakhsh rifles it in from 12 yards!
Iran 1-2 Qatar
16:14 , Jonathan Gorrie
49 mins: PENALTY GIVEN!
Iran have their spot kick!
Iran 1-2 Qatar
16:11 , Jonathan Gorrie
47 mins: It is now being checked!
The referee heads over to the VAR monitor…
Iran 1-2 Qatar
16:10 , Jonathan Gorrie
45 mins: Iran have two shots blocked in the early stages, claiming for handball but nothing is given.
Iran 1-2 Qatar
16:08 , Jonathan Gorrie
Back underway!
Iran 1-2 Qatar
15:56 , Jonathan Gorrie
The home fans are having a good time!
HT: Iran 1-2 Qatar
15:53 , Jonathan Gorrie
The champions have the lead after a fantastic turnaround.
Iran 1-2 Qatar
15:51 , Jonathan Gorrie
45 mins: CHANCE FOR IRAN!
They’re so close to forcing an equaliser from a corner but Kanaani can’t sort his feet out and its blocked on the line!
Iran 1-2 Qatar
15:46 , Jonathan Gorrie
44 mins: GOAL!
Qatar have the lead! Afif with a brilliant strike just outside the box, rifling it in!
Iran 1-1 Qatar
15:42 , Jonathan Gorrie
43 mins: Iran need half-time here. They’re looking short of ideas in an attacking sense.
Iran 1-1 Qatar
15:39 , Jonathan Gorrie
36 mins: Qatar are growing in confidence.
While they looked shaky defensively at the start of the first-half, they’ve settled down since.
Iran 1-1 Qatar
15:35 , Jonathan Gorrie
32 mins: So close to 2-1!
Afif shoots right at the keeper and a second shot on the follow up loops over the bar.
Iran 1-1 Qatar
15:30 , Jonathan Gorrie
27 mins: Iran are getting so many chances going forward but their decision making in the final third leaves a lot to be desired.
Iran 1-1 Qatar
15:26 , Jonathan Gorrie
24 mins: The game is settling down a touch now, after such a frantic start.
Iran 1-1 Qatar
15:22 , Jonathan Gorrie
16 mins: GOAL!
The defending champions are level, though only through a stroke of luck!
Gaber’s shot from range takes a huge deflection and dips over the Iranian ‘keeper and into the back of the net!
Iran 1-0 Qatar
15:15 , Jonathan Gorrie
14 mins: Iran are looking so dangerous every time they go forward here.
Qatar are leaving so much space defensively.
Iran 1-0 Qatar
15:14 , Jonathan Gorrie
12 mins: So close to 2-0!
Iran break and Taremi is inches away from turning a cross into a second goal!
Iran 1-0 Qatar
15:13 , Jonathan Gorrie
11 mins: As you might imagine, Qatar are seeing most of the ball and their fans are making quite some noise but the Iranian defence has so far been pretty tight.
Iran 1-0 Qatar
15:10 , Jonathan Gorrie
10 mins: All the pressure on Qatar now! They need to come out, allowing Iran more space.
We’re set for a thrilling semi-final.
Iran 1-0 Qatar
15:06 , Jonathan Gorrie
03 mins: GOAL!
Azmoun gives Team Melli the lead! Qatar don’t clear their line after a throw-in and the forward is allowed two attempts at strike, eventually finding the net with an overhead kick!
Iran 0-0 Qatar
15:05 , Jonathan Gorrie
03 mins: Iran just feeling their way into this.
Qatar aren’t afraid to press high up the field, allowing Iran space in-behind.
Iran 0-0 Qatar
15:03 , Jonathan Gorrie
01 mins: Qatar get us underway and go straight on the attack but Iran clear their lines.
The champions have made an impressive start here.
Iran vs Qatar: KICK-OFF
15:01 , Jonathan Gorrie
Away we go!
Iran vs Qatar: Teams in the tunnel!
14:57 , Jonathan Gorrie
We’re closing in on the semi-final now!
Iran look to end long wait
14:24 , Matt Verri
Iran are favourites to reach the final, but there is plenty of pressure on them.
They won the Asian Cup three times on the bounce between 1968 and 1976, but they have not lifted the trophy since then.
In fact, Iran have not made it to the final in 11 attempts since that last success…
Confirmed Qatar lineup vs Iran today
14:13 , Jonathan Gorrie
Qatar XI: Barsham; Abdulsalla; Abdurisag, Afif; Ahmed Ali, Almoez, Fathi, Mendes, Pedro Miguel, Waad
Iran vs Qatar: Team Melli arrive
14:02 , Jonathan Gorrie
Heating up now!
Confirmed Iran XI vs Qatar today
14:00 , Jonathan Gorrie
Iran XI: Beiranvand; Rezaeian, Khalilzadeh, Zadegan, HajiSafi; Ebrahimi, Ezzatollahi; Ghoddos; Jahanbakhsh, Azmoun, Taremi
Iran vs Qatar: Iran’s story so far
13:50 , Jonathan Gorrie
They’ve not made it easy but this Iranian team have shown a lot of heart…
Iran vs Qatar: Latest odds
13:28 , Jonathan Gorrie
Iran to reach final: 2/7
Qatar to reach final: 23/10
Odds via Betfair and subject to change.
Iran vs Qatar referee: Team Melli unhappy
13:12 , Jonathan Gorrie
Kuwait’s Ahmad Al-Ali will be in charge of today’s game but Iran have questioned the appointment.
“What is a little bit surprising for us is that the referee for the match is from Kuwait, he’s an Arab,” said Saeed Ezatolahi.
Iran vs Qatar: Jordan await in the final
12:56 , Jonathan Gorrie
Jordan shocked South Korea in the first semi-final on Tuesday night and will await today’s winners in the final.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
12:48 , Jonathan Gorrie
Iran wins: 17
Draws: 5
Qatar wins: 3
Iran vs Qatar: Score prediction today
12:30 , Jonathan Gorrie
This Iranian team are full of heart and will feel momentum is on their side.
Iran to win 2-1.
Qatar team news vs Iran today
12:30 , Jonathan Gorrie
Back-up goalkeeper Salah Zakaria is the only real doubt for Qatar at this stage.
Iran team news Qatar today
12:30 , Jonathan Gorrie
Sadegh Moharrami will likely miss the game for Iran and Majid Hosseini is another doubt. Mehdi Taremi, however, will return from suspension.
Iran vs Qatar: TV channel and live stream today
12:29 , Jonathan Gorrie
TV channel and live stream: In the UK, the whole tournament will be broadcast by TrillerTV, formerly FITE. Coverage starts at 2.50pm GMT ahead of a 3pm kick-off. The TrillerTV app is also available for download.
Welcome
12:12 , Jonathan Gorrie
Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of the second Asian Cup semi-final.
Iran and Qatar go head to head at the Al Thumama Stadium and kick-off is at 3pm GMT.
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