Reports
The loss, Iran’s first against China in 10 years, leaves the three-time Asian Cup champions facing Bahrain in the third/fourth play-off on Friday.
It is a bitter pill to swallow for Ivankovic, whose team, reduced to 10 men after three minutes of the second half, had held out for so long in the cauldron of the Beijing Workers’ Stadium.
“Penalties are often more about luck than quality,” lamented the Croat after the absorbing encounter whuich ahd ended 1-1 after normal and extar time.
“The Chinese players took their penalties better than we did and deserve their place in the final. I must congratulate my players, they did their best but we didn’t make it.”
Having put the suspension of three first-choice defenders behind them to secure a point against defending champions Japan in their Group D meeting last week, and then overcoming 2002 World Cup semi-finalists Korea Republic in the last eight, Iran’s quest for a fourth Asian Cup title ended when Yahya Golmohammadi’s penalty was saved by China keeper Liu Yunfei to send the hosts through 4-3.
“We played with 10 men in the second half and it was very hard for us,” Iran skipper Ali Daei after the game.
“The first half was great but in the second we didn’t play very well,” added the 2002 AFC Player of the Year who, at 35, is surely playing in his last Asian Cup.
Having faced both China and Japan during the tournament, Ivankovic is in a unique position to evaluate the two teams, but the Croat refused to be drawn on the subject.
“Every game is different and I don’t want to compare teams,” he said.
“The Chinese team gave a strong performance and, with their excellent support they were well motivated to win today.
“They have shown that they can play against any team
The hosts will meet Japan, the defending champions, in Saturday’s final. It will be China’s first appearance in the final of the Asian Cup since 1984.
Arie Haan’s side took the lead after 19 minutes but, after being pegged back six minutes before the break, needed penalties to eventually get past the three-time champions, who were reduced to 10 men three minutes into the second half.
Following hard on the heels of Japan’s dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Jordan in the quarter-final, millions of television viewers across China and around the world, as well as over 60,000 fans in the Bejing Workers’ Stadium, watched Eman Mobali, who had only been on the pitch for three minutes, and Yahya Golmohammadi miss from the spot to send the hosts through.
In a dramatic and nerve-jangling finale, Branko Ivankovic’s side seized the early initiative as Ali Daei and Medhi Mahdavikia notched either side of Zhao Junzhe’s effort which was saved by Ebrahim Mirzapour.
Javad Nekounam scored with Iran’s third to put the pressure Sun Xiang who scored with an unstoppable effort. After Mobali hit the bar, Siemens mobile Man of the Match Shao Jiayi scored to swing the balance in China’s favour. Up stepped Golmohammadi, but Liu Yunfei guessed right and beat away the defender's chipped effort to spark jubilant scenes among China players, officials and fans.
It was hard not to feel sympathy for Iran, who had held out so valiantly after Sattar Zare was sent off on 48 minutes for pushing Shjao Jiayi three minutes into the second half.
But China, roared on by the home crowd, got their reward after dominating large periods of the game. Keen to exploit Iran’s defensive frailties down the flanks, China’s Sun Xiang and Li Ming were a constant threat to the Iran defence and it was from a lightening quick foray down the left that China fashioned the opener after 19 minutes.
Sun Xiang broke before feeding Hao Haidong down the inside left channel. The evergreen striker, who left the fray injured after 29 minutes and must be a major doubt for the final, shaped to shoot, wrong footing Zare in the process, before cutting the ball into the path of Shao Jiayo whose first-time finish gave Mirzapour no chance.
With central midfielder Shao Jiayi getting forward to support China’s front two, China surged forward after taking the lead and continued to threaten whenever they got the ball wide.
But the loss of Hoa Haidong after a clash with Mirzapour took the wind pout of China’s sails and Iran profited on 39 minutes when Ali Karimi on the right touched the ball inside to Hossein Kaebi. His lay-off fell invitingly to Sayyed Alavi who fired home through a crowd of players from the edge of the box.
Iran had to play all but three minutes of the second half with 10 men after Zare was sent off for pushing Shao Jiayi to the ground as the pair squared up to one another off the ball. Television replays showed the 1860 Munich player had made the most of the situation.
Alavi, the goalscorer, was promptly withdrawn from the fray and replaced by Ali Badavi, as Iran reverted to a more orthodox back four.
It was backs-to-the-wall stuff for Ivankovic’s men in the second half as China sought to make their numerical superiority tell, but Haan’s side could not find a way past the massed ranks of the Iran defence.
Indeed it was Iran, whose attacking options were limited to long balls to Ali Daei and occasional forays by the indutrious Ali Karimi, who might well have taken the lead when 2003 AFC Player of the Year Mahdavikia got in front of his man to flash a header wide of Liu Yunfei’s right-hand post.
On 81 minutes it was China’s turn to waste a glorious opportunity to score when Sun Jihai, whose appearances in the tournament have been limited to cameos from the bench, dragged his shot horribly wide after Li Jinyu had chased the ball down from Mirzapour’s parry.
The game, which had threatened to explode, finally did eight minutes from the end of normal time when Karimi, breaking down the middle and through on goal, was tripped by Zhang Yaokun. The Lebanese referee booked Zhang – much to the disappointment of the Iranian players who were expecting red – and showed a red card instead to goalscorer Alavi, by now watching from the bench, presumably for saying something to the fourth official.
In a frenetic climax, chances went begging for both sides. First Mahdavikia whipped in a cross from the right to Badavi at the far post but the Foulad player skewed his first-time effort narrowly wide.
Then, in added time, Shao Jiyai headed a long ball from the left into the path of Li Jinyu but the ball just wouldn’t come down and the Shandong Luneng player scooped the ball over the bar from eight yards out.
China had the best of the first period of extra time, Mirzapour denying Yan Song with his legs and Li Jinyu dragging wide from 10 yards out after a fluffed clearance from Golmohammadi. Then, with the last kick of the half, Sun Xiang rattled the Iran crossbar with a ferocious 25-yard drive.
It was the last real chance of the game as both sides conserved their energy for a finale few will forget.
Beijing –
Ali Karimi deservedly picked up his third Siemens Man of the Match award for
leading Iran to a 4-2 win over Bahrain in the 2004 Asian Cup third/fourth
place playoff.
After a consistent display throughout the tournament, the Al Ahli playmaker
was in sizzling form once more as he scored a goal in the 52nd minute – his
fifth of the tournament – before winning a penalty 10 minutes from time.
Javad Nekounam had during the opening exchanges, given Iran a swift ninth
minute lead only to see that advantage wiped away by a 48th minute Talal
Yusuf equaliser.
Saleh Farhan’s goal in the 57th minute had cancelled Iran’s lead for the
second time but that was all Bahrain could conjure for the rest of the
match. Ali Daei struck his penalty attempt with thorough conviction in the
80th minute for a 3-2 lead, the Pirouzi striker then scoring his third goal
of the 2004 Asian Cup Finals in the 90th minute to round off their campaign
on a winning note.
Iran’s win was especially sweet as their substitute Arash Borhani had
earlier been sent off in the 72nd minute. The contest, played under amicable
terms for the entire game, was marred in injury time when Mehdi Mahdavikia
and Talal Yusuf were both sent off for violent conduct.
Yusuf had brought two-goal hero Daei down just inside his own half,
Mahdavikia reacting furiously to the tackle as both camps came close to
exchanging blows. Thankfully, sensibility prevailed quickly thanks to
intervention from Daei and Karimi, both teams playing out the remaining
minute or so without any further confrontation.
Iran coach Branko Ivankovic was predictably appreciative of Karimi’s
efforts, not just during the Bahrain win but also for his work during the
entire duration of the tournament. Daei may have had a disappointing run by
his own standards but for Ivankovic, the veteran’s immense involvement
during his career is a fine model that youngsters should follow.
"Karimi is an exceptional talent," praised Ivankovic. "He is very strong and
he is the best player at the Asian Cup. For me, he has played well in every
match.
"He can play in Europe. Other than the Thailand match, he has passed or
played a big role in at least two goals in most of the matches.
"Daei's contribution to Iran football is immeasurable. Whether it’s
international or club level, he has always been scoring freely and is always
on top of the scoring charts.
"His achievements aside, he is also a very warm man. His professionalism is
a fine example for all aspiring youths in the country.
"I haven't really decided if I should leave the national post," added
Ivankovic when quizzed if he was about to take on a more day-to-day club
role. "I am always confident in my future. My Asian Cup is over and I think
I will have a quick answer to that question. Right now, I can't answer
that."
Ivankovic’s Croatian counterpart Srecko Juricic is in the meantime, looking
forward to even better times for Bahrain, the most improved international
side of 2003.
"I am satisfied with this result," explained Juricic. "Bahrain are a young
side and to be able to reach this far is a good achievement. We still have
room for improvement."
Iran have not had the happiest three weeks in China with player suspensions and diverted flights providing some unwelcome distractions, but two goals from Ali Daei and one each for Ali Karimi and Javad Nekounam put a smile back on the face of the likeable Croat.
“I am really happy,” said Ivankovic. “I am really satisfied because playing for third place is always a difficult game but my players really did a good job today.
“Bahrain are a tough side and they have showed excellent form throughout this tournament so it was always going to be difficult. But we can now go home happy.”
Iran’s path to the penultimate match of China 2004 has been paved with difficulties, some of them self-inflicted.
Ivankovic was denied the services of three regulars for crucial games following some unseemly behaviour in the Group D game against Oman, which was punished by tournament organisers.
Mohammad Nosrati was banned for four games and took no further part in the tournament after stamping on Oman’s Emad Ali.
Rahman Rezaei and Ali Badavi were also slapped with bans, for two games each, after a furious exchange between the players, also in the Oman encounter. Both were unavailable for the final group game, against Japan, and the quarter-final win over Korea Republic.
To make matters worse, the Asain Football Confederation (AFC) on Friday handed a six-month ban to Ebrahim Taghipour for incidents relating to Zob Ahan’s 2-0 loss to Pakhtakor in an AFC Champions League match in Tashkent back in May
Iran have also found it hard to keep all 11 players on the pitch. Sattar Zare saw red three minutes into the second half of the semi-final against China and in the game against Bahrain, Arash Borhani was given his marching orders to be followed late on by 2003 AFC Player of the Year Mehdi Mahdavikia.
“This has not been an easy time for us,” admitted Ivankovic. “The road has been very tough for us and we have had some set-backs which unsettled the players, but they are professional and are proud to play for Iran, so they got on with their task and brought some glory.”
It has not been all gloom and doom for Iran, who finished in third place in the Asian Cup for the fourth time.
Attacking midfielder Ali Karimi has shone throughout the tournament, scoring five of his side’s goals and setting up countless others.
His industry, strength and deft touches have caught the eye in the past three weeks, making the Al Ahli player, who has won three Siemens mobile Man of the Match during the tournament, a leading candidate for the player of the tournament.
“I think that he is the most talented player we have seen in the tournament,” Ivankovic said of the 25-year-old.
“I think he could easily play in Europe if he wanted to because he has played excellently in all our games and has show real quality in all aspects of his game. His performances have changed the games for us.”
Iranians will be hoping that Karimi maintains this form for the crucial World Cup qualifier in September against Jordan, a must-win game for Ivankovic, assuming he is still with Iran.
The Croat has confirmed publicly that he might not be in charge of the team by September. His contract is up at in September and he told reporters he is contemplating a move into club football.
Beijing Workers Stadium- 6th Aug 2004.
Iran 4 - Bahrain 2 (half time 1-0)
Goals: Nakounam (9' ) Karimi (62) , Daei (80p, 90')
Talal Yousif (48') Saleh Farhan (58')
Iran: Mirzapour; Kameli , Golmohamadi (Mobali 56 (Majidi Farzad 90') Kaebi , Rezaei , Badavi , Nekounam , Mahdavikia , Alavi , Enayati (Borahani 53'), Karimi , Daei.
Bahrain: Abdulkarim ; Mohd Husaain, Ghazi AlKuwari (Mohd Hubail 86'), Salman Ghuloom, Hussain Baba, Mahfoodh (Hussain Ali 84'), Mohd. Salmeen, (Bader Ali 61'),Talal Yousif, Duaij Nasser(Rashid Adldoosari 60'), Al'a Hubail