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Just four teams remain in the hunt to be crowned champions of the 18th edition of the AFC Asian Cup with the semifinals to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Up first, two-time winners South Korea, who are seeking their first continental title since 1960, take on last-four debutants Jordan before hosts and defending champions Qatar face an Iran side aiming to win a fourth title and first since 1976.
Ahead of the two crunch match-ups, AFC Media has selected five things to look out for.
Will Iran finally clear semifinal hurdle?
It’s now more than 47 years since Iran won the 1976 AFC Asian Cup to lift the title for a third successive time after edging Kuwait 1-0 in the final in Tehran. Back then, Team Melli were undeniably the continent’s dominant force but, despite regularly going deep into the competition, they have yet to appear in another final since.
The Iranians have lost their last six AFC Asian Cup semifinals, three of which have been on penalties, with the last defeat coming in 2019 against Japan in the United Arab Emirates. However, after a brilliant second-half performance against the Samurai Blue on Saturday, when they came from behind to win 2-1 following a late Alireza Jahanbakhsh penalty, Iran return to yet another semifinal.
Up next, Amir Ghalenoei’s side go up against defending champions Qatar as they bid to end their long wait to return to the final. Iran have won their past six meetings against the Maroons in all competitions, including a 4-0 win in October last year, but to make that seven they will have to clear a barrier which has proven to be their stumbling block for almost five decades.
Korea to take control from the off?
“I wish sometimes we start 1-0 down so that we can play that way from the start, running after the ball. Maybe we get into a higher rhythm when we go down. Maybe when we’re 0-0 we worry too much. It’s all psychological.” Those were the words of Jurgen Klinsmann after South Korea produced another incredible stoppage-time comeback to see off Australia in the quarterfinals.
Hwang Hee-chan’s 96th-minute penalty had levelled the game before Son Heung-min struck the winner in extra time. It came on the back of Cho Gue-sung equalising in the 99th minute against Saudi Arabia in the last 16 before the Koreans won the match on penalties, while they also rescued a point against Jordan in the group stage after a stoppage-time own goal.
While Korea’s never-say-die attitude can only be admired, their German head coach will surely be working on how his team can control games instead of chasing them. On Tuesday, the Taegeuk Warriors face a rematch against Jordan and will be hoping their formidable frontline can fire them into a lead rather than being forced to produce another late, late show.
How will Iran stop Afif?
A record nine goals in Qatar’s triumphant 2019 edition saw Almoez Ali grab many of the headlines, but there’s little doubt who the star of the 2023 edition has been so far: Akram Afif, who himself produced a whopping 10 assists five years ago and was equally important in the Maroons securing their first AFC Asian Cup crown.
While the goals have dried up for Ali since his opening-day strike against Lebanon, Afif has been firing on all cylinders. The Al Sadd SC forward has found the back of the net four times, assisted two goals and created the second-highest number of chances (13) behind Korea’s Lee Kang-in during his five games as he continues to inspire the defending champions’ bid to reach back-to-back finals.
Iran head coach Ghalenoei must look to stop Qatar’s star man, with defensive midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi potentially key in terms of denying him space. Team Melli performed admirably in keeping Japan’s creative players quiet, most notably Takefusa Kubo, in the quarterfinals, but with Afif in such red-hot form, the task is likely to be just as hard in Wednesday’s semifinal.
Can Jordan capitalise on Kim Min-jae absence?
Kim Min-jae’s booking in the quarterfinal win over Australia means the Korean defender is suspended for the semifinal against Jordan. While the likes of Son, Hwang Hee-chan and Lee Kang-in grab many of the headlines, there is little doubt of the importance of a centre-back who won Serie A with Napoli last season and is now a regular at Bayern Munich.
The 27-year-old’s absence is likely to be a boost for a Jordan side who have already scored 10 goals in five matches, including twice in a 2-2 draw with Korea in the group stage when Kim was in the heart of the Korean defence. This time round, in what is one of the biggest matches in their history, they will go up against a backline missing its best defender.
With Yazan Al Naimat, Mahmoud Al Mardi and star man Musa Al Taamari all performing well going forward (Ali Olwan is also out through suspension), the Jordanians have plenty of quality up front. If they can take advantage of an opposition backline missing a world-class defender, the chances of an upset will only increase.
Taremi looks to make up for missed opportunity
Without their main goalscorer Mehdi Taremi, Iran still managed to overcome Japan in a morale-boosting quarterfinal victory which will surely see them go into the semifinals full of belief. Having served his suspension, the striker is set to return to the starting line-up for Team Melli’s last-four encounter against Qatar.
The match-up could have extra significance for Taremi, who missed the 2019 semifinal against Japan due to suspension. Iran subsequently crashed out following a 3-0 loss in which they failed to significantly test the Japanese defence as their tournament ended in a comprehensive defeat and Taremi was left to rue his quarterfinal booking against China.
With three goals in his past two appearances, Taremi is Iran’s top scorer, while he also has nine goals in his past 11 international appearances. Having missed out on the opportunity to try and fire Iran into the final five years ago, the FC Porto frontman is sure to be hugely motivated to make amends this time round.
