Takehiro Tomiyasu's Asian Cup journey with Japan ended on Saturday after a dramatic quarter-final loss to Iran.
Tomi played the full match at the back for Japan, who took the lead in the 28th minute through Sporting CP midfielder, Hidemasa Morita.
Iran continued to press for an equaliser in the first half, squandering a few golden chances in front of goal. These efforts did pay off in the second half and Iran got their goal in the 55th minute, with Mohammad Mohebi slotting home.
With the score level at 1-1 and only a few minutes of added time remaining, Hossein Kanaanizadegan was brought down in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. The stadium waited with bated breath for the 96th-minute penalty, before Iranian captain Alireza Jahanbaksh broke the deadlock and Japanese hearts.
Iran will now take on the winner of the Qatar and Uzbekistan quarter-final for a spot in next Saturday's final.
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