DOHA: Goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham was Qatar’s hero as the hosts and holders beat Uzbekistan 3-2 on penalties on Saturday to put them into an Asian Cup semifinal with Japan’s conquerors Iran.
Barsham saved three times in the penalty shootout after the quarter-final with Uzbekistan ended 1-1 following 120 minutes of stalemate.
Pedro Miguel slotted in the winning penalty for Qatar in front of almost 60,000 fans at the tent-like Al-Bayt Stadium north of Doha.
The triumphant Qatar players tossed Barsham in the air at the end.
Qatar had won their four previous games at the tournament but they were given a stiffer test by Uzbekistan, who some had tipped as dark horses to lift the trophy.
Qatar opened the scoring midway through the first half when captain Hassan Al-Haydos forced an own goal from Utkir Yusupov, the goalkeeper flapping the ball into his own net.
But Uzbekistan levelled just before the hour when Odiljon Hamrobekov broke free of the Qatar defense and drilled a shot into the corner of the net.
Both teams had chances to snatch a winner in second-half injury time, and Qatar’s Almoez Ali also went close as extra time drew to a frantic close.
The first semifinal is on Tuesday when Son Heung-min’s South Korea face Jordan, before Qatar and Iran face off the next evening.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored a 96th-minute penalty to give Iran a dramatic 2-1 win over Japan in their quarter-final.
It capped a stunning comeback from Iran, who were behind at the break but roared back to dump out the pre-tournament favorites and keep alive their dream of a first Asian title since 1976.
Hidemasa Morita gave Japan, who were looking to lift the trophy for a record-extending fifth time, the lead midway through the first half in front of 36,000 at Education City Stadium.
Mohammad Mohebi drew Iran — themselves champions three times — level 10 minutes after half time and they dominated the remainder of the game.
But just when it looked like extra time, Kou Itakura brought Hossein Kanaanizadegan down in the box and skipper Jahanbakhsh held his nerve to spark delirium on the pitch and in the stands.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said his players were “fantastic” in the second half.
“They gave everything for the Iranian people,” he said.
“This can be a turning point for Iranian football.”
Ghalenoei, whose side squeezed through on penalties over Syria in the last 16, took a potshot at critics back home.
“I am not saying criticism is not good, but some people in the last 11 months tried to ruin the national team,” he said.
Japan coach Hajjime Moriyasu said his side must improve “in many aspects” and took full responsibility for their premature exit.
“I feel sorry for our supporters and everyone involved in Japanese football,” said Moriyasu.
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Goalkeeper saves Qatar in shootout to set up Iran semifinal at Asian Cup
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Goalkeeper saves Qatar in shootout to set up Iran semifinal at Asian Cup
- Qatar had won their four previous games at the tournament but they were given a stiffer test by Uzbekistan
Detry, LIV Golf veteran Uihlein share first-round lead in Riyadh
- Detry, the newest full-time member of 4Aces GC, shot a bogey-free 7-under 65 under the lights at Riyadh Golf Club
RIYADH: Thomas Detry admitted feeling “a bit nervous” entering his LIV Golf debut on Wednesday.
So did Elvis Smylie, another of the league’s newcomers, but their opening-round performances under the lights at Riyadh Golf Club showed they are both ready to make some serious noise this season.
Detry, the newest full-time member of 4Aces GC, shot a bogey-free seven-under 65 to grab a share of the ROSHN Group LIV Golf Riyadh lead with LIV Golf veteran Peter Uihlein of RangeGoats GC.
Smylie, the 23-year-old rising star who joined the all-Australian Ripper GC, carded a 66 that left him in solo third. The two were among 10 players — eight full-timers and two reserves — playing their first-ever LIV Golf rounds.
Byeong Hun An, the new captain of Korean Golf Club, also sparkled in his debut, shooting 67 to join a group of six players tied for fourth. HyFlyers GC’s Michael La Sasso shot 69 in his pro debut as the league’s youngest player at age 21.
Torque GC grabbed the team lead at 15 under, with the all-South African Southern Guards GC two shots behind. Defending Riyadh champions and reigning LIV Golf Team Champions Legion XIII are in solo third at 11 under.
Detry and Smylie each hit 10 fairways, tying for best in the field, while Detry also was tied for the lead in greens in regulation, hitting 17 of 18. He prepared for playing at night by practicing under the lights with his coach in Abu Dhabi.
“First day on the job, so a little bit of a change for me, so a bit nervous,” said the Belgian, whose most recent win was in February last year on the PGA Tour. “I drove it so well out there, it made my job pretty easy.”
Smylie suffered a bogey on his second hole before finding his rhythm. Five of his seven birdies came on par fours, tying new Smash GC Captain Talor Gooch for most by any other player on Wednesday.
“I think there were a little bit of nerves and excitement, but I think I showed what I’m capable of today, or tonight, I should say,” Smylie said.
While Detry and Smylie were making their first LIV Golf starts, Uihlein was embarking on start number 51 as one of eight original players who have started every tournament since LIV Golf debuted in London in 2022.
He remains in search of his first LIV Golf win, although he won two International Series events on the Asian Tour in 2024. Those were each 72-hole tournaments, and Uihlein hopes LIV Golf’s format switch from 54 holes to 72 starting this season will prove beneficial to him.
“I’m not scared of a blowup every now and then on a hole in particular, so now I have more holes to make it up,” Uihlein said. “I think it’s going to benefit me long-term, which is nice.”
Gooch is among the group lurking at five under. He has won four individual titles and the 2023 season-long Individual Championship, all in the previous 54-hole format. He and the other veteran LIV Golf players have had to adjust their mindset.
“Definitely has a totally different vibe,” Gooch said.
“Only 18 more holes, it’s not that vastly different. But even on the range when we were about to go, I was giving everybody a little fist bump and said, ‘Let’s go get it,’ and Harold (Varner III, his new Smash teammate) said, ‘Hey, don’t come out the gate sprinting. It’s not a sprint anymore.’”
It remains serious business, though, especially with a bevy of newcomers in the expanded 57-player field determined to make a quick impression even while getting used to LIV Golf’s energetic tournament days.
“I think even with the concerts and the entertainment outside of the golf, that’s something that I’m really enjoying,” Smylie said. “I feel like I’m really thriving in an environment like that, and it’s great to start my LIV career here in Riyadh.”
