On Wednesday night (7), the finale of the Asian Cup quarter-finals was a passionate showdown with Iran at hosts Qatar's Toumama Stadium. Qatar came back from behind to beat Iran, who scored from Asmoun and Chahan Bakshi, 3-2 with goals from Gabbah, Akhlin Afif and Aymols Ali, to reach the final after the previous tournament, and will fight for this year's title from Jordan.
As the defending champions, Qatar continue to send "explosive head" striker Akram Afeef to lead the team, with Amols Ali partnering the front line, veteran Ehidus as a substitute; while the Iranian team is striving to make it to the final again after 1976, with a number of players playing in Europe's top leagues in the lineup, and the comeback of the top scorer, Teh Nimi and Asmoun partnering the front line. Niemi and Asmoun will play together in the front line, while Chahan Bakshi and Shavon Heights will play in the center of the field.
Iran was the first to score at the start of the match, with Asmon's goal giving his team the lead just four minutes into the game. But Qatar quickly adjusted their shape and the hosts equalized on 18 minutes when Gabbard's shot hit an Iranian player and the ball managed to go past goalkeeper Bilangfen. Qatar took advantage of the situation and on 43 minutes, Akrin Afif scored with a powerful shot from outside the box to put the hosts back in front at the end of the half.
In the second leg, Iran's Ishadollahi hit Fahi with a shot, and the referee, after watching VAR, ruled that the latter had committed a handball in the penalty area and awarded a penalty kick, which Chahan Bakshi hit with the knife to equalize the score for the Iranian team. But Qatar did not get discouraged, and in the 83rd minute, Aymols Ali scored again to regain the lead for the hosts.
In the extra time, although the Iranian team has Kalisad was sent off with a red card, but the 10-player "Persian Army" still does not give up the impact on the Qatar defense. In the last few corner kicks, Iranian goalkeeper Bilangfen even went up to assist, but Chahan Bakshi's shot in extra time hit the post and bounced out. The referee blew the final whistle as the fans booed deafeningly. In the end, Qatar beat Iran 3-2 to advance to the final.
