AFC Asian Cup: Iran’s semi-final loss is all my fault and ‘worst day of my life’, says coach Ghalenoei
- Qatar’s Almoez Ali scores winner eight minutes from time, as defending champions set up final against Jordan
- Iranians were looking to reach the final for the first time since the third of their three consecutive Asian Cup wins in 1976
Amir Ghalenoei said Iran’s 3-2 defeat in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup to hosts Qatar was “one of the worst days in my life”, as he apologised for his team’s failure to make the final.
Almoez Ali scored the decisive third for Marquez Lopez’s team eight minutes from time, in a game that had more drama than quality. There was a late red card for Iran’s Shojae Khalilzadeh and Alireza Jahanbakhsh hit the post in the dying seconds.
The Iranians were looking to reach the final for the first time since the third of their three consecutive Asian Cup wins in 1976, but the loss at Al Thumama Stadium is the seventh time since 1980 the country has been eliminated in the semi-finals.
Instead, Qatar will take on the tournament’s surprise package, Jordan, at Lusail Stadium on Saturday looking to become the first nation to win back-to-back titles since Japan’s success over China – the third of the nation’s four Asian Cup triumphs – in 2004.
“I want to say sorry to the Iranian people because we had the responsibility to make them happy, we should have qualified for the final but we couldn’t do it,” Ghalenoei said.
“We missed a lot of opportunities, we had eight corners in the second half but this is football. If you don’t get what you want from your chances then you are going to be punished.
“If you’re looking for someone who is responsible for this defeat it is me, not the federation, not any of the players. I’m responsible for this defeat. I think this was one of the worst days in my life.”
The Iranians lost despite making the ideal start, Sardar Azmoun putting Ghalenoei’s side ahead in the fourth minute with an overhead kick that left Qatar goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham flat-footed.
But the lead lasted only 13 minutes as Akram Afif, the best player of the tournament, played a key role in the build-up as Jassem Gaber’s shot was deflected in off Saeid Ezatolahi’s outstretched boot.
Two minutes before the break Afif gave his side the lead, cutting inside to bend a right-foot shot around Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
Jahanbakhsh levelled from the spot six minutes into the second half after a handball by Ahmed Fathy but, with time running out, Ali hit the decider late in the game from 12 yards out with Afif again involved.
The drama did not stop there, as Khalilzadeh was sent off deep into injury time for fouling Afif and Jahanbakhsh was millimetres from taking proceedings into extra-time, but his late shot hit the inside of the post and flew to safety across the face of Barsham’s goal.
Qatar’s progress to a second successive Asian Cup final was unexpected, with the hosts in flux after only appointing Lopez to replace Carlos Queiroz less than a month before kick-off.
“I took over a very short while ago, but the one thing that helped me is the fact I know the players very well,” said the Spaniard, who previously worked with Qatar Stars League club Al Wakra.
“I have spent a long time in Qatar and I’m very happy because the road was not easy, it was difficult. But the players implemented my instructions, my philosophy and my ideas and they deserve my thanks. We have one final step left in order to accomplish our goal.”
