Preview Iran vs. Qatar - AFC Asian Cup

AFC Asian Cup - Iran vs. Qatar
Match Time: 07-02-2024 22:00 Wednesday (GMT+7)
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Saturday's match proved to be a triumphant return for Amir Ghalenoei, who led Iran during the 2007 Asian Cup where they were eliminated in the quarterfinals after a penalty shootout with South Korea.

Iran’s team, filled with talented players from top-ranking European clubs, showcased their tenacity in this tournament. This resilience saw them through a challenge in the last 16, leading to their first successful comeback in this tournament since a 2-1 win over Iraq in 2011 last Saturday.

If Iran emerge victorious next Wednesday, they would make their first appearance in an Asian Cup final since they won the tournament on home soil back in 1976. The Team Melli has been unsuccessful in their previous six semi-final fixtures at this tournament.

Iran's last lead in an Asian Cup semi-final dates back to 1988, when they lost to Saudi Arabia in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.

In the last 10 fixtures against Qatar, Iran has remained unbeaten with six consecutive wins, and has managed not to concede in six of the prior seven face-offs with the Maroons.

The Maroons emerged victorious in a thrilling quarter-final, largely due to some exceptional goalkeeping. Despite a blunder by goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov that put the home team in the lead and missing two penalties in the shootout, Uzbekistan had three attempts at the goal blocked. This led the Maroons to another Asian Cup quarter-final win, after prior eliminations at this stage in 2000 and 2011.

Tintin Marquez's side entered the Asian Cup knockout stage having only conceded once in their past six competitive games. However, they conceded goals in both the round of 16 and the quarter-finals - one more than they allowed throughout the 2019 Asian Cup knockout phase.

A win on Wednesday would see them become the first hosting country to make it to the tournament final since Australia in 2015, and the third since the turn of the century.

Their victory in the thrilling match on Saturday makes them the first title defending team to advance past the quarter-finals since Japan in 2007, who finished in fourth place.

The Maroons have been undefeated in their past 12 Asian Cup matches and have not lost a knockout game at this competition since the 2011 quarter-finals when they were defeated 3-2 by Japan.

The outcome of the upcoming match is uncertain as both teams have faced numerous challenges and managed to emerge triumphant from sticky situations.

Picks: Iran 0-1 Qatar