Doha, Qatar: In a pulsating encounter with the Al Thuma Stadium rocking, Qatar produced a dramatic comeback to defeat Iran 3-2 and book their place in the AFC Asian Cup final. The Maroons, roared on by a vociferous home crowd, overturned a one-goal deficit to emerge victorious, setting up a mouthwatering clash with Jordan on Saturday.

Early Drama Sets the Stage:

The game exploded into life from the outset, with Sardar Azmon putting Iran ahead inside four minutes. But the Qatari response was swift and decisive. Jasim Gaber produced a moment of magic in the 17th minute, rifling home a stunning equalizer to restore parity. The home side continued to press, and their efforts were rewarded just before the break when Akram Afif coolly slotted home to send the stadium into raptures.

Second Half Thriller:

Iran refused to lie down in the second half and grabbed a deserved equalizer from the penalty spot through Alireza Jahanbakhsh in the 51st minute. The tension mounted as both sides traded blows, but Qatar struck the decisive blow. Almoez Ali, the tournament’s top scorer, rose again, heading home in the 82nd minute to send the Qatari faithful into a frenzy.

Red Card Seals Qatar’s Fate:

Iran’s hopes of a comeback were dealt a severe blow when Sozai Khalizadeh was shown a red card in injury time, reducing them to ten men. Qatar held on resolutely to secure a famous victory and a place in the final, where they will face a Jordan side brimming with confidence after their remarkable upset win over the Korean Republic.