Iran won their first ever Asian Qualifiers title after a 12-goal thriller and a penalty shootout victory over defending champions Japan, while UAE defeated Australia in a tense encounter to snatch the continent's last ticket to Tahiti.Japan (6)
Iran (6)Iran won 5-4 on penaltiesIran completed a stunning comeback at Doha’s Katara stadium on Saturday night, coming back from 6-3 down to beat reigning Asian champions Japan 5-4 on penalties.
Both finalists were already assured of a place in September’s World Cup finals in Tahiti, so there was a celebratory atmosphere in the packed stands. And the fans were treated to a memorable contest, providing a thrilling end to a superb tournament.The match offered a fascinating contrast in styles, pitting Iran’s possession-based game against Japan’s high-octane power plays. And The Nippon’s approach yielded instant dividends, with Ozu scoring straight from the kick off, hammering a volley into the top left corner of the Iranian net.
Two minutes in, Iranian keeper Hosseinilargani tested his opposite number Terukina, forcing a save from long range. Indeed, in the early stages, Japan were generally restricting their opponents to long range efforts until, with five minutes gone, the Japanese keeper was caught out, Abdollahi firing a low effort home with Terukina stranded yards from his goal.
Rejuvenated by their equalizer, the Persians concentrated on holding onto the ball, hemming back their opponents in their own half. But, with nine minutes gone, Abdollahi received a yellow card a minute later for blocking off Ozu. The tall number 10 made him pay in majestic style, smashing the free kick home to put the Japanese 2-1 up.
With a minute left in the first period, Japan gained a free kick for a handball in the middle of the pitch. Ozu took a huge run up and powered home in emphatic style to complete his hat trick and put Japan 3-1 up going into the first break.
Two minutes into the second period Iran almost reduced the deficit, Ahmadzadeh hitting the right post with a rising drive after cutting in from the left. But the Japanese soon extended their lead, Makino firing in a free kick from close range, which Hosseinilargani could not keep out, despite getting his hands to it.
With eight minutes remaining in the second period the Japanese conceded a handball in a central position. Morshedizadeh made no mistake, his deft chip offering the Iranians a way back into the game. And, soon after, the Iranian number 7 was instrumental in creating his side’s third, crossing from the left to reduce the deficit to the odd goal in seven.
As the clock ran down on the second segment, Toma won a free kick deep inside his own half from which there seemed little danger. But, the Japanese number 8 smashed home an incredible pitch-length drive to make the score 5-3.
Early in the third period Iran’s keeper produced a flying save to his right, typifying his team’s determined attitude. But, their resolve was further tested five minutes in, when Oda’s scuffed shot looped over the keeper and in, making the score 6-3 to Japan.
With six minutes left the Iranians were handed a lifeline with the award of a penalty. Mokhtari held his nerve to side-foot inside the right hand post, setting up a tense finale. Direct from the restart Ozu almost repeated his spectacular trick from the start of the game, but this time Hosseinilargani managed to divert his shot round the post.
And, seconds later, the Iranians were firmly back in the game, with Akbari delighting Iran’s noisy support by making the score 6-5. Japan appeared to be wobbling as the Persians fought hard for every ball, and Ahmadzadeh almost brought things level with two minutes remaining, his rising drive slamming against the post.
The Iranian persistence paid off in the final minute when Mesigar breaking free on the right before finding the back of the net, to level the score at 6-6 and force the game into extra time.
With 90 seconds remaining, Mokhtari almost scored for Iran with an overhead kick. But, despite their extra period dominance, they could not force a winner, and sudden death penalties beckoned.
With the first nine penalties successfully converted and the tension mounting, Japan’s most experienced player Takeshi Kawaharazuka stepped up for Japan. But, Hosseinilargani was equal to his shot, becoming the hero by ensuring victory at the last to Iran.
UAE (3)
Australia (2)
The last ticket to Tahiti was at stake in Saturday’s third place playoff, with Australia and the UAE coming off narrow one-goal defeats to Japan and Iran respectively in the previous evening’s semi- finals.
On Australia’s National Day, a large and boisterous crowd turned out to support the Beach Socceroos. But, they were quickly silenced, as Karim put the UAE ahead straight from the kick off, with just three seconds on the clock. And, Australia’s misery was compounded less than a minute later when Walid doubled the UAE’s lead.
Australia were without playmaker and former Aberdeen star Zdrilic, serving a one match suspension after being sent off in the dying seconds of Friday’s semi-final. In his absence Aussie captain Nikas, one of the three leading scorers of the tournament, took charge to resurrect his side’s hopes of reaching Tahiti. With seven minutes remaining in the first period, he threaded a long ball through to Matricciani, who did not hesitate, making the score 2-1 heading into the first break.
The UAE were unfazed by the Aussie resurgence and, on return from the break, rifled a series of powerful efforts just wide of the goal, and forced Jaeger to make an impressive save minutes into the period. However, the Beach Socceroos were unlucky not too equalize just before the break, with no one able to capitalize as a loose ball bounced in front of the UAE’s goal.
The score remained 2-1 at the end of the second period. As the third segment played out, the feisty Australians pushed on in search of a vital equaliser. And their persistence paid off when Matricciani doubled his and his side’s tally, seconds after forcing a corner, to level the scores. But the UAE would not lie down, and re-established their lead through Karim with five minutes remaining.
Australia piled on the pressure, but the Emiratis looked to have held out and, as the horn sounded, their substitutes rushed onto the sand to congratulate their teammates. There were people on the pitch. They thought it was all over. But, in fact, the scoreboard revealed that 0.4 seconds remained on the clock. The referee re-started the game, with Aussie goalkeeper Jaeger preparing for a last throw of the dice. But as his throw-in was arcing goalwards, the final horn was heard. And, controversially, the Aussies would later claim that it was still sounding as George Souris connected with the long throw, powering a header home. The ‘goal’ prompted the extraordinary sight of both sides rejoicing, but Australian celebrations soon turned to remonstrations as the referee signaled that the goal would not stand. The late drama provided a lively talking point for the large crowd, mesmerized by a high-quality contest that ultimately saw the UAE sneak home 3-2.
Placement Matches
Earlier in the day, Qatar defeated Philippines 8-3, with Abdullah Jassim netting a hattrick, to finish the tournament in 15thplace.
A hattrick from Jalal al Sinani and a brace from Khaled Al Oraimi gave 2011 finalists Oman a 6-3 victory over Palestine and a fifth place finish.China finished seventh after a 10-5 victory over Lebanon.
The 2006 Champions could only beat Iraq 2-1 to clinch ninth place.Debutants Thailand finished in 13th place after a 4-3 win over Uzbekistan, while Afghanistan, also in their first ever appearance in the qualifiers finished 11th without needing to play as Saudi Arabia already withdrew from the tournament after the group stage.The crowds also enjoyed some great Beach Soccer action on the final day as European giants FC Barcelona and AC Milan played out an entertaining friendly. The Catalans won the match 6-2 thanks to a brilliant performance from their captain Amarelle, one of the greatest Beach Soccer players in th history of the sport.MVP Player Ozu (Japan)
Top ScorerMoslem Mesigar (Iran) – 11 Goals
Best GoalkeeperSimon Jaeger (Australia)
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