Soccer-Iran dump Syria out of Asian Cup on penalties to set up quarter-final with Japan

Soccer Football - AFC Asian Cup - Round of 16 - Iran v Syria - Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar - January 31, 2024 Iran's Mehdi Taremi scores their first goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Molly Darlington

DOHA (Reuters) - Iran survived going down to 10 men to beat Syria 5-3 in a penalty shootout in the Asian Cup last-16 on Wednesday after the game ended 1-1 after extra time, setting up a tasty quarter-final clash with four-times champions Japan.

Syria's Fahd Youssef saw his penalty saved by goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand in the shootout while Iran converted all their spot kicks, with skipper Ehsan Hajsafi netting the decisive one.