On Wednesday night, at an expectant Al Thumama Stadium, Qatar went toe-to-toe with Iran. They were behind and then in front, and then pegged back again, before Ali landed the knockout blow.
Qatar survived the three-time winners, Asia’s second-ranked side, a dodgy VAR decision and even Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s shot off the upright in the 13th minute of additional time to bound through, prevailing 3-2.
By then, Iran had been reduced to 10 men, in keeping with a breathless tie. But Qatar face Jordan on Saturday, for all the marbles. However, after this, will they have anything left to give?
Iran opened the scoring on four minutes, and the tone was set. Qatar failed to deal with a long throw from the right, the ball looped up, and Sardar Azmoun contorted to direct an overhead kick past opposition goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham.
A beautiful bit of improvisation, it snapped Azmoun’s three-match drought; the longest the Roma striker had gone in the Asian Cup without scoring.
It didn’t take Qatar too long to restore parity. On 17 minutes, Akram Afif chested down from a ball over the top, turned back towards his own goal, and rolled an inviting pass to the edge of the Iran penalty area.
If Jassem Gaber did not exactly drill home the ball, he would not have cared; his scuffed shot deflected off Saeid Ezatolahi and up over Alireza Beiranvand in the Iran goal to nestle in the net.
Then, right before half-time, Qatar completed the turnaround. Ahmed Fatehi crunched into a tackle to win back possession, the ball arrived at Afif’s feet, and the pristine playmaker did the rest.
Picking up play on the left, Afif drove inside the Iran box, created a smidgen of space, and unleashed an unstoppable effort across the despairing Beiranvand.
As bedlam broke out all around him, Afif took off down the touchline and disappeared in the mob of maroon who had leapt from the Qatar bench. It marked Afif’s fifth goal this tournament, bettered only by Iraq’s Aymen Hussein, with six.
Yet, this time, Iran bounced back. Minutes into the second half, Ezatolahi cannoned a shot off Fatehi’s raised hand inside the area and, although at first the referee did not signal a penalty, he consulted VAR.
Decision reversed – still, replays showed Fatehi was harshly punished – Jahanbakhsh kept his cool from 12 yards. Irrespective of Qatar’s protests, Iran were level.
To their credit, Qatar responded immediately. Yusuf Abdurisag wrestled free and stung Beiranvand’s palms. From the resulting corner, Shojae Khalilzadeh cleared Pedro’s header from under his own crossbar.
At the other end, Qatar needed to show similar resilience. It took both Lucas Mendes and Boualem Khoukhi to prevent Taremi and Azmoun from putting Iran back in front.
Ultimately, it was the hosts who regained the initiative.
Abdulaziz Hatem’s wild shot fizzed into the path of Ali, who somehow controlled it and swept a sublime finish inside the far post.
Way off form since his goal in the tournament opener, the 2019 Golden Boot winner had risen to the occasion right when his team needed him.
Iran’s hopes were all but extinguished. Not long into an achingly-long period of injury-time, Khalilzadeh clattered into Afif and, after another trip to the pitchside screen, the official upgraded his yellow card to red.
And Qatar held on. Right at the death, Jahanbakhsh’s low shot clattered off the post, before Barsham parried a ricochet that appeared destined for the net.
The defending champions clung for now to their trophy, with only Jordan between them and the tournament’s first back-to-back title success in two decades. If the past two nights of Asian Cup action are anything to go by, Saturday should make for some viewing.
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina, Abdullahi Shehu, Chidozie Awaziem, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins, Semi Ajayi Midfielders: John Obi Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Henry Onyekuru, Odion Ighalo, Alexander Iwobi, Samuel Kalu, Paul Onuachu, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze
On Standby: Theophilus Afelokhai, Bryan Idowu, Ikouwem Utin, Mikel Agu, Junior Ajayi, Valentine Ozornwafor
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool
Arsenal 1-0 Huddersfield Town
Burnley 1-0 Brighton
Manchester United 4-1 Fulham
West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace
Saturday fixtures:
Chelsea v Manchester City, 9.30pm (UAE)
Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur, 11.45pm (UAE)
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE results Lost to Oman by eight runs Beat Namibia by three wickets Lost to Oman by 12 runs Beat Namibia by 43 runs
UAE fixtures Free admission. All fixtures broadcast live on icc.tv
Tuesday March 15, v PNG at Sharjah Cricket Stadium Friday March 18, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium Saturday March 19, v PNG at Dubai International Stadium Monday March 21, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
