By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 28 – Though it is the fourth time in the AFC Asian Cup, it will be the first time the two Asian giants have met in the knock out stage. Iran and Japan have previously met three times in group stage of the continental tournament.
This time around it will the moment of truth, at least for the Iranians who have drawn twice and lost once to mighty Japan in their previous Asian Cup encounters.
Stats show Japan progressed to the final match four times out of five the semi-finals they have played in, while Iran passed through to the final two times in seven semi-final attempts having been knocked out five times.
The two Asian powers met for the first time in the Asian Cup in 1988 in a goalless encounter, then in 1992 when Japan won 1-0, then another goalless draw in 2004 Asian Cup.
The two national teams have met 19 times in total in their all-time head-to-head. Iran won 9 times, Japan 4 times and drawn 6 times. The stats suggest that Japan win the big encounters between these teams.
Japan in Semi Final
6 Appearances
4 Progressed
1 Knocked-out
14 QF goals
Iran in Semi Final
8 Appearances
2 Progressed
5 Knocked-out
7 QF goals
Iran Vs Japan AFC Asian Cup Head-to-Head
| Iran | Japan | |
| 3 | Games | 3 |
| 0 | Win | 1 |
| 2 | Draw | 2 |
| 2 | Clean sheet | 3 |
| 0 | Goals | 1 |
Iran Vs Japan Head-to-Head Matches
04/12/1988 Japan 0-0 Iran AFC Asian Cup 1988
03/11/1992 Japan 1-0 Iran AFC Asian Cup 1992
28/07/1004 Japan 0-0 Iran AFC Asian Cup 2004
Iran Vs Japan all-time Head-to-Head
| Iran | Japan | |
| 19 | Games | 19 |
| 9 | Win | 4 |
| 6 | Draw | 6 |
| 6 | Clean sheet | 5 |
| 25 | Goals | 19 |
Iran Vs Japan all-time Head-to-Head Matches
07/03/1951 Iran 0-0 Japan Asian Games
08/03/1951 Japan 2-3 Iran Asian Games
11/12/1966 Iran 1-3 Japan Asian Games
18/12/1966 Japan 0-1 Iran Asian Games
21/11/1982 Japan 1-0 Iran Asian Games
22/09/1986 Iran 2-0 Japan Asian Games
10/01/1989 Iran 2-2 Japan International Friendly
22/01/1989 Iran 3-1 Japan International Friendly
01/10/1990 Iran 1-0 Japan Asian Games
03/11/1992 Japan 1-0 Iran AFC Asian Cup 1992
18/10/1993 Japan 1-2 Iran FIFA World Cup qualifier
16/11/1997 Iran 2-3 Japan FIFA World Cup qualifier
09/09/1999 Japan 1-1 Iran International Friendly
13/10/2002 Japan 1-2 Iran Asian Games
28/07/2004 Japan 0-0 Iran AFC Asian Cup 2004
25/03/2005 Iran 2-1 Japan FIFA World Cup qualifier
17/08/2005 Japan 1-2 Iran FIFA World Cup qualifier
13/10/2015 Iran 1-1 Japan International Friendly
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