Japan continued its bid for a record-extending fifth Asian Cup victory by advancing to the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Bahrain on Wednesday.
The pre-tournament favorites bounced back from a surprise 2-1 loss to Iraq in the group stage and will face Iran in the next round.
Goals from Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo and Ayyo Ueda sealed Japan’s place in the last eight, while Zion Suzuki’s own goal was Bahrain’s only consolation.
After the match ended 1-1 until overtime, Iran defeated Syria in a penalty shootout to advance to the quarterfinals. On Saturday, they will play against Japan at Kyoiku City Stadium.
Japan took the lead in the 31st minute when Seiya Maekuma’s long shot hit the post and Doan converted the rebound.
Four minutes into the second half, Kubo spun and scored from close range, cutting the lead to two points.
In the 64th minute, Suzuki deflected Saeed Baker’s powerful header into the air, giving Bahrain hope for a comeback. Japan’s goalkeeper then tried to catch the ball, but collided with Ayase who tried to clear it with his head near the goal line, causing the ball to fumble and end up in the net.
Eight minutes later, Ayase fired a low shot at the near post, beating Bahrain goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfallah and restoring Japan’s two-goal advantage.
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Three-time champions Iran needed a penalty shootout, one of the tournament’s surprise packages, to defeat Syria.
Iran, reduced to 10 men after Mehdi Taremi was sent off in added time, eventually won 5-3 on spot kicks at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.
The game ended 1-1 until overtime. Iran took the lead in the 34th inning with a penalty by Taremi, who was fouled by Ayham Ossou.
Syria equalized in the 64th minute when Pablo Sabbag was brought down by Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
Syria, playing in the Asian Cup finals for the first time, were given the advantage when Taremi was sent off for a second attack in the first minute of stoppage time. However, they were unable to make the most of the extra players and the game remained tied until extra time.
In the penalty shootout, Iran won all the spot kicks, with Beiranvand’s save from Fahad Yousef proving the decisive moment.
This is the eighth consecutive time Iran has advanced to the quarterfinals.
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