The win took Iran to within one match of lifting the title for a record-extending 13th time with Japan - the only other team to have won the coveted crown - awaiting them in Saturday’s final.
Iran enjoyed the best of starts as they opened the scoring as early as the first minute when skipper Hossein Tayyebi collected goalkeeper Saeid Momeni’s long-range pass at the edge of the box to smash home his 10th goal of the tournament.
.jpg?d=900x0)
Despite the early setback, Thailand kept their cool and carried on with their game plan, luring Iran into their own half before launching crosses into the final third, but the defending champions were quick on their feet to protect Momeni’s goalmouth.
Iran, however, were the more dangerous side and nearly doubled their lead in the sixth minute when a series of quick exchanges in the box baffled the Thai defence, but Mohammadhossein Bazyar couldn’t get his strike on target.
.jpg?d=900x0)
Charoondej Muenthiang, one of Thailand’s key players with his speed, had several efforts but none troubled Momeni.
At the other end, Thailand custodian Katawut Hankampa denied Tayebi and Mohammadhossein Derakhshani in the closing minutes of the first half to keep his team in the match going into the break.
.jpg?d=900x0)
Iran stepped up a gear in the second half and doubled their lead in the 22nd minute with Derakhshani heading home Salar Aghapour’s cross from close range.
Two turned to three in the 24th minute when Alireza Rafiei Pour intercepted a pass, before teeing up Moslem Oladghobad (pictured below), who scored from almost 20 meters out.
Thailand should have pulled one back three minutes later when Muenthiang collected a loose ball before sending it to Jetsada Chudech who - with only the keeper to beat - slammed his effort straight into Momeni.
Iran were not as wasteful and they found their fourth in the 27th minute through Oladghobad’s strike from a kick-in set-piece, before Derakhshani netted his second goal a minute later, courtesy of Aghapour’s sublime assist.
With a mountain to climb, Thailand head coach Carlos Cesar Gago initiated power play with Panut Kittipanuwong coming off the bench in the 29th minute, but there was not to be even a consolation as Iran cruised into the final.
As far as the teams are concerned, Japan is the undisputed top team in Asia. A country that has planned its progress for over four decades ago, is now repeating the benefit of its hard work in every department. Not only they administer and manage their football to perfection in Japan. Unlike some other nations such as Saudi Arabia and China which opted to spend a huge amount of money to gain success, the Japanese program embodied a culture, sense of responsibility, education, strong infrastructure, and emphasis on grass-root football to develop and progress. As such this Japanese model is exemplary and produced quality players that are now working in the best leagues of Europe. Soon, Japan will also produce quality coaches from the generation that has retired. It is only a matter of time.
As a team, Japan is the most expensive in Asia.
