Statistically, the Asian Cup looked wonderfully neat and tidy – the kind of order that you might expect at a Japanese teahouse.
At the end of the group stage, every group winner had won three out of three games, every second place getter had two wins out of three, all third placed sides had just one victory and last place had lost all three.
The last place-getters in Groups A, B and C all recorded a goal difference of minus five, and Palestine, last place in Group D, were minus 10.
Even the first two quarter finals had a sense of symmetry, with both South Korea and Australia recording 2-0 wins. However, the first hint of disorder was to be found when South Korea and Uzbekistan finished level after 90 minutes – the first time a game has been drawn in the entire tournament.
Friday night blew all that neatness and order away in a hurricane of scintillating football. Iran and Iraq played quite simply one of the most thrilling matches seen in many years in any tournament. The history of these two ancient civilisations is extraordinary but their football history was enhanced by a 3-3 draw which could only be separated by a penalty shootout, won 7-6 by Iraq in a scoreline more familiar to the Australian Open tennis.
When Sardar Azmoun opened the scoring for Team Melli after 23 minutes, it seemed that the classy Iranians, who had not conceded a goal in their group, were on their way. However, a hasty decision by Australian referee Ben Williams to issue a second yellow card to Iranian left back Mehrdad Pooladi changed the course of the match in the 42nd minute.
Ahmed Yasin levelled the game just before the hour but the Iranians, playing like the Italy of Asia (to borrow a quote from SMH journalist Dominic Bossi), dropped deep and soaked up the Iraqi pressure with two banks of four and a lone striker, surviving the 90 minutes.
Extra time produced more thrills than a Luna Park rollercoaster as Iraq went ahead twice only to be pegged back by their near-neighbours and former bitter enemies on the political and military battlefield. A chaotic goalmouth scramble in the last minute of extra time saw Reza Ghoochannejhad score for Team Melli to take the game to the penalty spot. It was there that Iraq, with one of the more amazing football histories of recent times, triumphed. The cup had its first shock.
Almost three hours later, it got another, but this was even bigger. Japan, holders, hot favourites, and Asia’s highest ranked nation were eliminated by the United Arab Emirates in another thriller.
The old saying goes that if this was a boxing match, the referee would have called it off and awarded the game to Japan via TKO. After going ahead through Ali Ahmed Mabkhout just seven minutes into the game, UAE spent the rest of the match being battered by Samurai Blue, statistically, and in the football sense.
The last time a game had been so one-sided was on a fateful night for Australian football in November 1997. Gaku Shibasaki’s 81st minute equaliser was as inevitable as a rejected Liberal Party budget amendment and we all waited for UAE to crumble like a children’s sandcastle in a Christmas king tide.
When they survived all the way through a pulsating extra time, in which UAE hardly managed to string two passes together, there was a sense that this courageous rearguard action might still reap a reward. When Japan’s best player, Keisuke Honda, stepped up to take the first penalty and ballooned it to a family member in Row W of the Stadium Australia stand, the upset was on.
He got so much distance and height on the shot, it made a mockery of his criticism of the lack of time between games – he was obviously not too tired to send a shot into orbit. Iraq faltered but then, just to complete this night of chaos and disorder, Japan’s other world-renowned playmaker Shinji Kagawa hit the post, rangy substitute Dhurgham Ismail stepped up to bury his spot kick and send the favourites home.
Disorder and chaos. And a night of football that won’t be easily forgotten.
fadida
Guest
Paid or not, i don't agree with their opinons. Phil Stubbins is paid but I have no doubt I could out coach him
fadida
Guest
The writers are no more qualified to offer an opinion than me. I found their opinions to be incorrect and inaccurate, and argued why. Had the authors been Postecoglu himself and I didn't agree I'd also happily argue my case. We aren't talking rocket science. It is a pretty simple game
Uncle Junior
Guest
There is a Ranking Prognosis tool available on the Fifa website and it seems, if Australia wins its semi-final, it's highly likely our rankings will jump around 30-35 places. Then if we were to win in the Final, we may even be up to around 60. With World Cup qualifiers due to start later this year, Australia's rankings should continue to strengthen considerably from now on.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
I am just backing you on your astounding football knowledge---you had to correct all of the paid football annalists here on the Roar---they got it all wrong... You're not flattering yourself too much now are you?
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Of course they were---you being the most knowledgeable of all---hailing from that magnificent football league in Tasmania.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Add "The Land Down Under" to that list then :-P
Batou
Guest
Mate, if every Koran and Iraqi in Sydney turns up they'll struggle to fit them into Homebush, let alone the stadium :) I know a young Korean lady who is going and it will be her first ever football match. I doubt she will be alone, the Korean community will be right into it I reckon. No doubt likewise for the Iraqis. Just add a side note, what a shame for Ali Abbas. Missing the tournament through injury was bad enough but to have Iraq go this far and play a semi final in his adopted home city would have been extra special for him if he could have played
Griffo
Roar Guru
Fadida, be careful what you wish for...although after tonight's game, maybe they wouldn't be a bad thing...only double figures could be worse right now. :cry:
Batou
Guest
Really? I thought we got off fairly lightly considering two of their players were forced to sub of due to injuries and there were quite a few high elbows being thrown around. I don't think that we were playing dirty or intentionally tried to hurt those guys but I was pretty concerned about what the ref might do a few times in that game
fadida
Guest
What are you on about Qantas? A rambling steam of consciousness
fadida
Guest
Those football authors were wrong
fadida
Guest
who is this legendary "scapegoat"? Still choose Cornthwaite over Sainsbury Qantas?
AZ_RBB
Guest
Won't forget that Iran v Iraq game in a hurry. What an absolute classic. I know a lot of people are disappointed we're not playing at Homebush on Aus Day but I think South Korea v Iraq will still be awesome. I'm hoping every Korean and Iraqi in and around Sydney turns up and trust me there are quite a few haha! The fact that we have a couple of surprises in the semis only adds to the wonderful narrative that is AC 2015.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
"(Much to your disdain mind you)" Really!!! I backed the side he put out for Sth Korean game, but not the game plan. I love the man, I've said and always supported him to take the reins for the Asian Cup and you hate him for leaving Brisbane Roar... "In Rado we trust!"
The Bear
Guest
It was beautiful to read. Such grief and exasperation this sport and it's on field officiating can evoke. I felt that the Bahraini ref in our Sth Korea game had it in for us. Maybe, but I'd say it was that his interpretation of the laws jarred with the Aussie footballing psyche. Very stop start whistle blowing!! Which seem to have uited the opponents game plan.
The Bear
Guest
I doubt he has a thing against your people. I would say you guys were unlucky to get him, though, especially as he is fairly card happy. Chin up.
The Bear
Guest
He's shown he can "rest" players and freshen up squaddies hasn't he? (Much to your disdain mind you) I would say there's no complacency ...ever.
The Bear
Guest
At least a rousing Waltzing Matilda could be belted out. It's a catchy one ;)
The Bear
Guest
Just as long Hom Too-Soon plays.
britesparke
Roar Rookie
It was a great game between two even and very classy opponents! To try and tarnish an excellent game by blaming the referee is not doing our beautiful game justice. I am surprised that the highest ranked team, Iran, is not featuring in the finals along with Japan. That is the attraction of sudden death football.