BEIJING, 1 August 2004 — Japan survived a scare to reach the Asian Cup semifinals on penalties in bizarre circumstances as Iran took revenge against South Korea yesterday.
Holders Japan edged past Jordan 4-3 in a controversial shootout after failing to break a 1-1 stalemate in extra time and face Bahrain on Tuesday for a place in the Aug. 7 final.
Iran overcame South Korea 4-3 in the match of the tournament so far thanks to an Ali Karimi hat trick to set up a semifinal clash with hosts China.
An Asian Cup already troubled by political rows and disciplinary problems threatened to descend into farce in Chongqing.
Mahmoud Shelbaieh had put Jordan ahead after 11 minutes but Japan hit back three minutes later through Takayuki Suzuki before extra time failed to separate the teams.
In the penalty shootout Japan coach Zico and his coaching staff held up Jordan’s second kick to protest about the condition of the turf around the penalty spot.
After Shunsuke Nakamura and Brazilian-born Alex had blazed over the bar, the Japanese bench and several players complained bitterly to match officials.
The shootout was delayed for at least five minutes as a furious row between players, coaches and match officials erupted.
Amid the confusion, Malaysian referee Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh suddenly ordered the teams to switch ends.
“We feel in our hearts that we’ve reached the semifinals,” fumed Jordan assistant coach Alaa Nabil. “We have never seen a referee change ends just because one team asks him too.”
Jordan squandered three chances to win the shootout but Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi was Japan’s hero, pulling off fantastic saves from Haitham Al Shboul and Anas Al Zboun.
Zico hit back at Jordan’s players, accusing them of making fun of his team after Nakamura and Alex had missed from the spot.
“I have been involved in football a long time but I have never seen players behaving like that after a missed penalty,” said the Brazilian.
“The Jordan players showed a lack of respect and that is why they are going home tomorrow.”
In Jinan, South Korea’s hopes of winning their first Asian Cup since 1960 were left shattered by a sublime treble from Karimi, who settled a pulsating match with a 77th-minute winner.
Karimi twice headed three-time champions Iran in front in the first 20 minutes against the 2002 World Cup semifinalists.
But South Korea hit back through Seol Ki-hyeon and Lee Dong-gook, whose golden goal had knocked Iran out of the Asian Cup at the same stage four years ago.
Iran went in front again through an own goal by Park Jin-sub six minutes after the break, only for Kim Nam-il to equalize in the 68th minute with a fine strike from the edge of the box.
But with 13 minutes left Karimi lost his marker to flick a Mehdi Mahdavikia free kick past goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae and tied Lee Dong-gook as tournament top scorer with four goals.
