Asian Cup: odds, preview, prediction, schedule, where to watch Japan v Iran semi-final
- Winner of Monday’s first semi-final from Al-Ain will be favourites in the final against Qatar or hosts UAE
- Carlos Queiroz’s side strongly tipped to win the tournament after not conceding in their opening five games
The business end of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 is upon us and the pressure will be as high as the temperature when Japan and Iran take to the pitch of the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Monday.
On the line is a place in Friday’s final and with it the tag of favourites to lift the trophy.
Get through this and only the hosts or Qatar stand in the way of being the first team to lift an all-new Asian Cup commissioned for this expanded edition of the tournament.
Carlos Queiroz knows this is an excellent opportunity for Iran to end their 43-year wait to be crowned Asian champions because it is a relatively inexperienced squad.
That is why they are the favourites. They are yet to concede a goal in the UAE and eased past China with a 3-0 in the quarter-finals to set up their tie with Japan. One more clean sheet would extend their record to six games without conceding.
The Blue Samurai survived a scare against Thailand in their quarter-final but they have shown spirit after going behind at this Asian Cup.
Will that mean goals will be hard to come by when the teams meet in Al Ain? They have been before in matches between the pair.
The last time they met was in 2015 and the previous meeting before was a decade earlier. That is not going to matter to Japan’s new-look younger side led by veteran Yaya Moshida.
Japan are looking towards the Summer Olympics they host next summer and World Cup qualifying when it begins in September.
Any success in the UAE is a bonus, but they are within touching distance of a record fifth win.
They have only met once in the Asian Cup, in 2004 when they played out a 0-0 draw in the group stage.
Asian fans will have their fingers crossed that what would have been a fitting final lives up to its billing.
HEAD TO HEAD
Fifa ranking: Japan 50, Iran 29
AFC ranking: Japan 3rd, Iran 1st
Asian Cup best: Japan winners (1992, 2000, 2004, 2011), Iran winners fourth place (1956,1960)
Quarter-final appearances (since 1996): Japan – 6 (1996, 2000, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2015), Iran – 6 (1996, 2000, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2015)
Previous meetings: Played 21 – Japan wins 6, draws 6, Iran wins 9
Prediction: Japan 0-1 Iran
Match odds: Japan win $3.75, draw $2.98, Iran win $2.30
Tournament odds: Japan $3, Iran $2.10
Where to watch: Fox Sports (channel 670). Kick-off is 10pm (Hong Kong time)
