Hosts and defending champions Qatar beat Iran 3-2 in a thrilling AFC Asian Cup semi-final at Al Thumama Stadium after striker Almoez Ali scored the winner to set up a mouth-watering title clash set for this weekend.
With Qatar bidding to become the first team since Japan in 2000 and 2004 to win back-to-back Asian Cup titles, it was Iran who opened the scoring when Sardar Azmoun scored with an overhead kick in the fourth minute, but Qatar equalised when Jassem Gaber's shot from range took a deflection and looped over goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand into the net. The hosts had the upper hand when Akram Afif danced into the box and scored a scorcher just before halftime, but Iran levelled when they won a penalty for handball, with Alireza Jahanbakhsh putting away the spot kick to make it 2-2.
But with time running out, Ali -- top scorer in 2019 -- scored the winner for Qatar when he turned and fired into the bottom corner while Iran's hopes of a comeback took a hit when Shojae Khalilzadeh was sent off late in the game. After holding off a series of promising last-gasp attacks, the Qatar players dropped to their knees in celebration when the referee blew the full-time whistle following more than 16 minutes of stoppage time.
The gruelling confrontation had winning coach, Marquez Lopez, saying: “I’m just so happy for everybody following this result, especially the people of Qatar and the fans. I think we played well and the players did not spare any effort.”
The Qataris are now looking to win their second title when they play first-time finalists Jordan on Saturday.