National holiday in Iran. His team will play in the semifinals of the Asian Cup after overcoming the almighty Japan (2-1). Great success for Iran and not only because of what but also because of how. In a great second half, Iran tied up Japan, which was at the mercy of the Iranians. Moriyasu’s future leading the Japanese is more in doubt than ever, because in the second half Japan was swept off the field. Brutal disappointment for the Japanese who were number 1 candidates for the final victory.
Iran, led by Sardar Azmoun’s free verse, overcame Morita’s initial goal (minute 28) in a spectacular individual play that gave Japan wings. Something that instead of bringing down Iran, made them stronger. Iran’s legs were not weighed down by the extra time of the round of 16 against Syria and they ate Japan in a sublime second half. Intensity, football and conviction. While Japan was downcast, weak and distraught.
Factor Azmoun
Azmoun’s great game was key to pulling Iran’s lead… and even more so with the absence of the scorer Taremi, sanctioned for the expulsion against Syria. The Bayer Leverkusen striker (on loan at Roma) made up for the disappointments of the past with his national team with a great game. Against Japan he once again experienced a roller coaster. He gave an assist to his teammate Mohebi to make it 1-1; He saw a goal disallowed by millimeters and was a continuous threat to the weak Japanese defense.
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Azmoun.HECTOR RETAMALAFP
Azmoun has gone through all the states defending Iran’s jersey. She was persecuted in her country for criticizing her government’s repressive policies on women. The striker supported the wave of revolutions against the Iranian leaders due to the murder of Mahsa Amin for not wearing the veil correctly, which put him in the crosshairs of the Iranian government. That was before the World Cup in Qatar. He already left everyone speechless when he left the Iran team due to the insults suffered after the elimination in the 2018 World Championship in Russia. He preferred to be absent to take care of his sick mother. And Azmoun opted for football almost by chance since his parents were renowned volleyball players.
With Azmoun unleashed, Iran believed it and it was not until minutes of extra time that a stupid play between Itakura (Gladbach) and Tomiyasu (Arsenal), who were not able to clear a ball in their small area, ended with an irrefutable maximum penalty. Stupidity of Japan and deserving for Iran. Feyenoord striker Jahanbakhsh made no mistake from the spot and did justice to Iran’s superiority. Japan will have to ask itself many questions.