Jahanbakhsh suffers Asian Cup heartbreak as Iran fall to Japan in semi-finals

Brighton & Hove Albion winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh had his Asian Cup dreams shattered after Iran were defeated 3-0 by Japan in the semi-finals this afternoon.
Brighton & Hove Albion's Iranian winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh. Picture by PW Sporting Photography.Brighton & Hove Albion's Iranian winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh. Picture by PW Sporting Photography.
Brighton & Hove Albion's Iranian winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh. Picture by PW Sporting Photography.

The first-half was an end-to-end affair but neither side were able to break the deadlock. Japan had the better chances in the opening stages of the half with their best opportunity falling to Ritsu Doan on 18 minutes.

The Japanese forward's attempt beat Iranian 'keeper Alireza Beiranvand but went inches wide of the post.

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Iran had a good chance of their own on 22 minutes. Sardar Azmoun's curling shot forced Japanese goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda into making a stunning save to keep the scores level.

Chances dried up after the half-hour mark as the first 45 minutes ended scoreless.

The deadlock was finally broken 11 minutes after the restart as Japan took the lead. Takumi Minamino was brought down, leading to several Iranian players surrounding the referee in protest.

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The free-kick, however, wasn't given and play continued. With the Iranians still arguing with the ref, Minamino dusted himself down and delivered the ball into Yuya Osako who netted his third goal of the tournament.

Iran were straight on the attack afterwards, but Seagulls winger Jahanbakhsh's free-kick was well stopped by Gonda to maintain Japan's lead.

Albion's record signing started on the right wing in a 4-2-3-1 for Iran, but was replaced on 71 minutes by Mahdi Torab.

The Japanese doubled their advantage on 67 minutes thanks to a penalty awarded by VAR. Morteza Pouraliganji was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box and the referee pointed the spot.

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After consulting with VAR, the decision stood and Osako stepped up to slot home the spot-kick.

Japan then sealed their berth in the Asian Cup final with a third goal in second-half stoppage time. Good lead-up play from Minamino saw him play a ball into Genki Haraguchi who finished well to condemn the Iranians to defeat.

After Iran's exit from the tournament, Jahanbakhsh could make his return for Brighton in their Premier League home encounter with Watford on February 2.

The 25-year-old has so far played 11 times this season, but has not played for the Seagulls since their 3-1 away loss to Everton at the beginning of November when he limped off with a hamstring injury late on.