AFC Asian Cup Quarter-Final: Iran vs Japan
AFC’s Top Ranked Teams Face Off
Favorites Japan Face Tough Test
The top two teams from the AFC in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking are currently Japan, at 17th, and Iran, in 21st. On Saturday, the two sides will face off in the AFC Asian Cup Quarter-Final with a spot in the Semifinal on the line. The winner will undoubtedly feel like they can go on and win the competition and Japan are currently tournament favorites. Iran snuck past Syria in penalties in the round of 16, while Japan defeated Bahrain 3-1. We’ll preview the Iran vs Japan odds for the most-anticipated AFC Asian Cup Semifinal.
Iran vs Japan
Date, time:
Location: Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar
Streaming: Live Sports Stream
Head-to-Head
This will be the fourth meeting on the Asian Cup schedule between Iran and Japan. In 2019, Japan defeated Iran 3-0 to advance to the final as Yuya Osako scored twice. Iran are 0-2-1 vs. Japan in the AFC Asian Cup and Team Melli have won just one of their last seven matches vs. Japan overall. All-time this series is tied 6-6, with six draws to boot.
Taremi Suspended for Iran
Iran were one of just three teams to finish the AFC Asian Cup group stage with a perfect 3-0 record. They’ve been a popular pick to bet online so far and for good reason. Both Mehdi Ghayedi and Mehdi Taremi finished the group stage with two goals. Taremi scored again in the round of 16 vs. Syria, as he converted a first half penalty. Iran had the lion’s share of chances vs. Syria but couldn’t manage to double their lead.
Instead, goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand fouled a Syrian attacker in the second half to concede a penalty. Syria’s Omar Khribin stepped up and scored to equalize and things got worse for Iran. Taremi received his second yellow card of the match in stoppage time and Iran went down to ten men. Team Melli survived extra time and Beiranvand saved a penalty in the shootout as Iran won 5-3.
Taremi, Iran’s leading scorer in the tournament, is now suspended for Saturday’s Quarter-Final match. Plus, defender Sadegh Moharrami went down with an injury in the group stage and will miss the rest of the tournament. With Taremi out, Sardar Azmoun becomes more important. The Roma forward could have had a hat trick on Wednesday if not for some timely blocks by Syria. With Taremi out, the Iran vs Japan odds price Team Melli as +300 underdogs.
Japan Can’t Seem to Keep a Clean Sheet
Through four matches, no team at the AFC Asian Cup has scored more goals than Japan. The Samurai Blue have scored 11 goals through three games and are +150 soccer betting favorites to win the competition. Perhaps it’s also a bit concerning that they’re yet to keep a clean sheet. Japan have conceded 1.5 goals per game so far with youngster Zion Suzuki in net.
The Samurai Blue also lost in the group stage to Iraq, which certainly came as a surprise. Japan did pick up wins over Vietnam and Indonesia to finish second in Group D. That set up a round of 16 matchup with Bahrain, who finished ahead of South Korea to win Group E. Japan defeated Bahrain 3-1 as Ritsu Doan, Takuma Asano and Ayase Ueda all got on the scoresheet. Ueda has scored four goals so far and the Feyenoord man has led Japan’s line excellently.
While Iran have just a few players participating in top European leagues, Japan’s roster is chock full of them. Japan have 11 players in Europe’s top five leagues and some of them can’t seem to crack the starting lineup. This is one of the deepest Japan squads ever and they have a decent shot to win a record fifth title this February.
Match Analysis & Odds
Japan – Asia’s top-ranked team, come into this Quarter-Final match vs. Iran as -105 ATS and moneyline favorites. This is only their third meeting of the last decade and Iran are going for their first victory during that time frame. The Iran vs Japan odds price Team Melli as +300 underdogs for Saturday’s match. Although Iran are missing a couple of key players, bettors should note they haven’t lost since the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Iran enter this match on a 17-game unbeaten run and during that time they’ve only conceded more than one goal in a match once. Japan will test Beiranvand and Iran’s backline, though, and Team Melli could be on the back foot in this one more often than not. A draw sits at +240 odds here and Iran have already emerged unscathed from a penalty shootout.
All of Japan’s matches so far have finished with three or more goals. Over two goals are priced at -110 odds for this match and it’s certainly not the worst pick on the odds board. Bettors can also take Iran +0.5 at -115 as they look to continue their unbeaten streak.
