Lion scored a winning penalty as Japan defeated Iran 4-3 in a penalty after the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025 quarterfinals finished 1-1 at Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Centre Stadium on Sunday .
Japan is struggling to deal with it, with Iran taking advantage of the free space in the middle in five minutes, while Reza Gandhipur bounces back on rebounds.
We came in 30 minutes when Kose Ogura had the time and space to line up shots from afar. The ball took a deflection from Amirmohammad Razzaghini and defeated the fully stretched Arsha Shakouri.
Japan began the first period of extra time, as it ended the second half as it injected a shot into Iran’s goal mass.
Iran continued to live a dangerous life as he admitted a free kick at the start of the second period, but Shakouri took off another full length save and to deny Sato Riun from just above the box , pulled out another full length save.
As both parties were unable to find a winner, the tie would become a penalty, and despite Shakouri’s best efforts, they would win one and save Japan’s third in a shootout – with Iran’s El Fandal Vish Ali Pulya Sharabadi when Japan advanced to the semi-finals.
Japan will face Australia in the semi-finals and also confirm their victory to the location of the FIFA U20 World Cup Chile 2025.
MNA