[ad_1]
ABU DHABI – Iran is looking for its first final in 43 years, while Japan faces a four-time record high at a top-two top-ranked continental team on Monday. in the semifinal of the 2019 Asian Cup in Al Ain.
The other semi-finals will be held in the United Arab Emirates with Qatar on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi.
After finishing third in the 1976 Asian Cup, Iran failed to qualify for the semi-finals in five attempts, the last time in 2004 after losing to China on penalties.
Fifteen years later, Tim Milli is back in the semi-finals and is more confident than succeeding in the "playoff role" after four impressive wins, a draw, 12 goals and a goal by goalkeeper Alireza Biranfand.
"The level that I have seen in previous matches and the cleanliness of my shirt have only been hard work and a constant effort to develop my level," said Piranvand, penalized by Ahmed Mubarak (Kano), from Oman, to the eighth finals. "I hope to be able to continue at the same level in the match Japan."
"We are now focusing on Japan in order to avoid any stumbling blocks, and we want to be champions, especially as we are a qualified team and we have the tools to achieve that. ambition, "said Persepolis goalkeeper.
"We hope to go further (the semi-finals)." Japan has a very strong team, but we hope to be able to write history, "said Alireza Jahnabakhsh of the English Premier League.
Jahnabakhsh and Sardar Izmon, Russian striker Ruben Kazan, must redouble efforts to compensate for the absence of Mehdi Tarmi, who scored three goals because of the suspension.
Australia, second in the FIFA and South Korea standings, is now in the top four of the top four continental teams, with the exception of Iran and Japan, which will face Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain for the first time in semifinal and fourth. In the history of the tournament after the editions of 1988 (0-0), 1992 (1-0 for Japan) and 2004 (0-0).
Carlos Queiroz, who has been leading Iran since 2011 and ended his contract after the tournament, warned his team's expectations of winning the 43-year-old title.
"Iran's win will not be easy as three other teams are qualified for the semi-finals, all strong and worthy of the crown," said Queiroz, who had attempted in 2015 to qualify for the quarterfinals. final against Iraq.
Iran and Japan were different in the current version, the first of an offensive and defensive defense, while the second lacked comfortable progress in their matches, having won five victories by one goal, including three with a score 1-0, eight goals and three conceded.
However, Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo sees him as positive for his team and not the other way around.
"I think the way we control the matches after the recording is really good, we can play well with the risk, as a team, we can determine how we want to play, especially in defense" said Indo.
In addition to confidence, Japan has a perfect record in the semifinal, where it lost only once in Saudi Arabia to 2-3, in 2007 and four times en route for the title in 1992, 2000, 2004 and 2011. – (AFP)
Source link
