Lee Gaskin  Sports reporter at The Canberra Times

Gripping. Dramatic. Controversial referring decisions. A penalty shoot-out.

It wouldn’t be any other way for an Iran v Iraq encounter.

Everything that was hoped for from the hotly anticipated quarter-final at Canberra Stadium between two arch-rivals lived up to the billing, and then some.

Iraq booked its spot in the semi-finals after beating Iran 7-6 in a penalty shoot-out after scores were locked at 1-1 at full-time and 2-2 after 120 minutes.

The prize for Iraq is facing South Korea at Stadium Australia on Monday night for the right to play in the Asian Cup final.

But it’s difficult to know how much will be left in the tank – physically and emotionally – after the 18,921 fans in attendance witnessed one of the greatest games in this country.

Iraq defender Salam Shakir was the hero, converting the 16th shot of the penalty shoot-out to spark wild celebrations and send the 2007 champions into the final four.

In the penalty shoot-out, Iran defender Ehsan Safi blasted his shot over the bar to give the early advantage to the opposition, but that quickly disappeared as Saad Abdulameer sliced his shot wide and to the left.

Both sides were then perfect until Iran’s Vahid Amiry strike hit the bar and bounced away.

With scores locked 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes, and again tied up at 2-2 in extra-time, a penalty in the 115th minute from Dhurgham Ismael appeared to send Iraq through to the final four.

Iran defender Morteza Pouraliganji brought down Yaser Kasim inside the box, Australian referee Ben Williams having no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.

But barely a minute later, substitute Reza Ghoochannejhad headed the ball home from a mad goal-mouth scramble to again get the 10 men of Iran back on level terms.

Williams had earlier earned the ire of Iran coach Carlos Quieroz after handing a second yellow card to defender Mehrdad Pooladi late in the first half.

Quieroz had to be physically restrained by one of his own substitute players from approaching Williams as he walked to the dressing rooms at half-time.

This wasn’t the first time Queiroz hasn’t seen eye-to-eye with Williams.

The former Real Madrid manager was also critical of Williams’ performance in his side’s 2-0 win against Bahrain in the group stage.

Having earlier picking up a caution for a strong challenge, Pooladi was booked again for an attempted tackle he made on Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hachim.

Iran was leading 1-0 at that point after striker Sardar Azmoun gave his side the lead in the 24th minute with a bullet header from close range.

Iraq captain Younis Mahmood gave Iraq the equaliser it so richly deserved in the 56th minute, pouncing on a rebound from Haghighi and calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

Mahmood was the hero once again in extra-time, finding the back of the net in the 93rd minute.

Iraq was on top against a tiring Iran team in the warm conditions.

But any thought that the match was over were washed away as Iran defender Pouraliganji charged in with a towering header to the delirious delight of the Iran supporters.

Then came the dreaded shoot-out.

Both sets of supporters held their collective breathe as they waited to see which side cracked first.

It was just Iraq’s fifth win in 25 attempts against their arch-rivals.

For Iran, it continues a disappointing run at the Asian Cup.

The highest-ranked team in Asia hasn’t won the tournament since 1976.

The quarter final match between Team Melli and Iraq will be vital for many reasons.  Team Melli’s victory by any margin will put the seal of approval on Carlos Queiroz’s work, regardless to whatever happens in the next two rounds.

Not many pundits & experts predicted the progress of this team that far. Managed by a federation that is cash stripped thanks to FIFA which is unfairly holding US$ 8 million of FFIRI funds, resulting in sending of an ill prepared team to the tournament, a coach who is not exactly the most popular among other league coaches resulting in some clashes and discord ,  selection of a number of players who have failed to impress while playing little competitive football, while ignoring excellent performances of other league players who have been omitted perhaps for non-technical issues, and last but not least , the last minute desertion of the assistant coach Ali Karimi & his refusal to accompany the team leading to creation of unnecessary side issues and destabilization of the squad.

Carlos Queiroz, himself lowered everyone’s expectation before a ball was kicked in the tournament by saying that Iran is not even the favorite in the group. Other players repeated similar sentiments and warned the masses against putting high hopes under the circumstances surrounding the squad.

For these reasons, any progress beyond the quarter finals is a remarkable feat for Team Melli.

Henceforth, Iraq match is an important milestone for Queiroz and Team Melli. Irrespective to the press statements of the coaches, which are becoming so predictable and monotonous in fact , the reality is that both teams play similar type of football and there is little indication that any team has any advantages on the other.

Iraq , like Iran , has proven that it has a solid defense that is difficult to penetrate. It has conceded one goal only and that was against the defending champion Japan. Although Team Melli has the capability of testing the Iraqi defenders with the likes of Azmoun , Dejagah and Ghoochannejad, it is unlikely that Carlos will have a sudden change of heart and start altering his approach to an offensive game plan.

Iraq, like Iran again, has not displayed an offensive game plan either and has been acting shy up front.  They have struggled to score more than 2 goals past the weakest team of the tournament, Palestine and with only 3 goals scored; their offensive threat is nothing more than modest.

As such, the fans are in for a low scoring defensive battle between the two teams. Both coaches will exercise caution and refrain from venturing too deep into the opponents territory. Adventure is not going to be the name of the game on Friday. The match is expected to be tight and might very well go into extra time and penalty kicks, unless a moment of individual brilliance by a player changes all that. Team Melli certainly has and proven that it has some individual skill that can make a difference.

One interesting prediction about this match is the number of fans in Canberra stadium. For the first time in the tournament, it is expected the Iraqi fans will outnumber the Iranians simply because the Iraqi’s predicted their team will be second in the group and hence they grabbed most of the tickets on sale ahead of the Iranians.

The fans of both teams have been tremendous and colorful so far. There effect might very well be felt by the players who could show more enthusiasm and resolve to gratify their appreciative fans.