Qatar survive chaos and controversy to move one step away from retaining Asian Cup

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/39477844/qatar-survive-chaos-controversy-move-one-step-retaining-asian-cup

Further golden chances for Iran followed and on another night, they probably would have gone 2-0 up. But Afif, who was involved in what felt like almost every promising move forward his side made, then made his mark: cutting the ball back for Jassem atop the Iranian penalty area, with the resulting shot taking a wicked deflection off Ezatolahi and looping away from Beiranvand.

Iran were furious. And not just because they'd seen their lead evaporate

Moments prior, a long clearance from Beiranvand had sat up for Mehdi Taremi, only for the attacker to be brought down by a desperate last-ditch challenge. The Iranians wanted a penalty, only for their appeals to fall on the deaf ears of the referee and VAR review as the Qataris grabbed their leveller.

And therein lies one of the other major talking points from the contest, a predictable one, because officiating was inevitably going to become a flashpoint on Wednesday, especially after Iran raised complaints surrounding the appointment of Ahmad Al Ali before the game.

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei and his staff were awaiting the official and his team as they looked to head down the tunnel at the halftime break, moments after their side had appeals for a handball penalty on Lucas Mendes waved away and Jahanbakhsh was denied one final chance to hurl in a long throw.

Before all this, Qatar had found their second and the lead. And inevitably, it came through Afif.

Having come close on several occasions before then, an alert sliding challenge to win the ball back and quick ball forward by Fathi found him in a yard of space on the left side of the edge of the Iranian penalty area.

But when the next moment of contention arrived, just seconds into the second stanza, it was to the favour of Ghalenoei's outfit, Fathi getting his arms in front of his face as Ezatolahi sent in a shot and a VAR review determined that this constituted a handball, with Jahanbakhsh burying the resulting penalty.

With the wind at their backs, the following exchanges were controlled by the Iranians.

Waves of attacks were coming and it felt like it was only a matter of time before they found another way through. Ghalenoei, after apologising to the Iranian people, said it was one of the best second halves his side had produced in his tenure. He then went on to declare Wednesday one of the worst days of his life.

Iran's golden generation might have missed their best -- and last -- shot at Asian Cup glory