Iran at the AFC Asian Cup

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The Iran men's national football team has participated in 14 editions of the AFC Asian Cup, first appearing in the 1968 Asian Cup after automatically qualifying as hosts. Overall, Iran is one of the most successful teams in Asia, having won three titles from 1968 to 1976. However, after the 1976 Asian Cup, Iran's best performance is just third place.

Overall results[edit]

AFC Asian Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
Hong Kong 1956 Withdrew Withdrew
South Korea 1960 Did not qualify 6 3 1 2 12 10
Israel 1964 Withdrew Withdrew
Iran 1968 Champions 1st 4 4 0 0 11 2 Squad Qualified as host
Thailand 1972 Champions 1st 5 5 0 0 12 4 Squad Qualified as champion
Iran 1976 Champions 1st 4 4 0 0 13 0 Squad Qualified as host
Kuwait 1980 Third place 3rd 6 3 2 1 16 6 Squad Qualified as champion
Singapore 1984 Fourth place 4th 6 2 4 0 8 3 Squad 6 6 0 0 22 2
Qatar 1988 Third place 3rd 6 2 2 2 3 4 Squad 4 2 2 0 6 1
Japan 1992 Group stage 5th 3 1 1 1 2 1 Squad 2 2 0 0 10 0
United Arab Emirates 1996 Third place 3rd 6 3 2 1 14 6 Squad 6 6 0 0 27 1
Lebanon 2000 Quarter-finals 6th 4 2 1 1 7 3 Squad 6 4 1 1 16 2
China 2004 Third place 3rd 6 3 3 0 14 8 Squad 6 5 0 1 16 5
Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Vietnam 2007 Quarter-finals 6th 4 2 2 0 6 3 Squad 6 4 2 0 12 2
Qatar 2011 Quarter-finals 7th 4 3 0 1 6 2 Squad 6 4 1 1 11 2
Australia 2015 Quarter-finals 5th 4 3 1 0 7 3 Squad 6 5 1 0 18 5
United Arab Emirates 2019 Semi-finals 3rd 6 4 1 1 12 3 Squad 8 6 2 0 26 3
Qatar 2023 Third place 3rd 6 4 1 1 12 7 Squad 8 6 0 2 34 4
Saudi Arabia 2027 To be determined To be determined
Total 3 titles 15/18 74 45 20 9 143 55 70 53 10 7 210 37

1968 Asian Cup[edit]

It was Iran's first ever Asian Cup debut, as they were awarded as host. Iran lifted the trophy for the first time.[1]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Iran (H) 4 4 0 0 11 2 +9 8 Champions
2  Burma 4 2 1 1 5 4 +1 5 Runners-up
3  Israel 4 2 0 2 11 5 +6 4 Third place
4  Republic of China 4 0 2 2 3 10 −7 2 Fourth place
5  Hong Kong 4 0 1 3 2 11 −9 1 Fifth place
Source: RSSSF
(H) Hosts
Iran 2–0 Hong Kong
Behzadi 70'
Jabbari 88'
Attendance: 28,000
Referee: Norman Boswell (Malaysia)

Iran 4–0 Republic of China
Behzadi 31'
Kalani 34'
Eftekhari 51'
Farzami 56'
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: Alex Joseph Vaz (India)

Burma 1–3 Iran
Aung Khi 50' Kalani 2'
Eftekhari 60'
Behzadi 71'
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: Natrajan (India)

Iran 2–1 Israel
Behzadi 75'
Ghelichkhani 86'
Spiegel 56'
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: Alex Joseph Vaz (India)

1972 Asian Cup[edit]

Group allocation match[edit]

Iran 2–0 Khmer Republic
Kalani 45'
Iranpak 51'
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Kim Jo-Wong (South Korea)

Group A[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Iran 2 2 0 0 6 2 +4 4 Advance to Knockout stage
2  Thailand (H) 2 0 1 1 3 4 −1 1
3  Iraq 2 0 1 1 1 4 −3 1
Source: RSSSF
(H) Hosts
Iran 3–0 Iraq
Kalani 34', 70', 78'
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Sivapalan Kathiravale (Malaysia)

Thailand 2–3 Iran
Tantariyanond 69', 70' Jabbari 80', 86', 88'
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Matolzi (Malaysia)

Semi-finals[edit]

Iran 2–1 Khmer Republic
Iranpak 13'
Ghelichkhani 47'
Doeur Sokhom 18'
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Matolozi (Malaysia)

Final[edit]

Iran 2–1 (a.e.t.) South Korea
Jabbari 48'
Kalani 108'
Park Lee-Chun 65'
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Sivapalan Kathiravale (Malaysia)

1976 Asian Cup[edit]

Group B[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Iran (H) 2 2 0 0 10 0 +10 4 Advance to knockout stage
2  Iraq 2 1 0 1 1 2 −1 2
3  South Yemen 2 0 0 2 0 9 −9 0
Source: RSSSF
(H) Hosts
Iran 2–0 Iraq
Nouraei 45'
Roshan 58'
Attendance: 50,000

Iran 8–0 South Yemen
Azizi 17', 73'
Nouraei 40', 42'
Khorshidi 45'
Mazloumi 63', 74', 80'
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Akram Ul Haq (India)

Semi-finals[edit]

Iran 2–0 (a.e.t.) China
Khorshidi 100'
Roshan 119'
Attendance: 60,000
Referee: Asami (Japan)

Final[edit]

Iran 1–0 Kuwait
Parvin 71'

It would have been the last time Iran has ever won the title, as for 2019. However, Iran holds record as the most consecutive champion, having won three strait titles comparing to Japan, Saudi Arabia and South Korea, bot have two strait titles.

1980 Asian Cup[edit]

Group A[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Iran 4 2 2 0 12 4 +8 6 Advance to knockout stage
2  North Korea 4 3 0 1 9 7 +2 6
3  Syria 4 2 1 1 3 2 +1 5
4  China 4 1 1 2 9 5 +4 3
5  Bangladesh 4 0 0 4 2 17 −15 0
Source: RSSSF


Iran 0–0 Syria

China 2–2 Iran
Chen Jingang 74'
Xu Yonglai 89'
Alidousti 35'
Fariba 70'

Bangladesh 0–7 Iran
Fariba 11', 34', 80', 82'
Roshan 21'
Barzegari 27', 87'

Iran 3–2 North Korea
Alidousti 27'
Danaeifard 57'
Fariba 60'
Hwang Sang-hoi 68'
Pak Jong-hun 90'

Semi-finals[edit]

Iran 1–2 Kuwait
Faraki 90' Yaqoub 63'
Al-Dakhil 85'

Third place match[edit]

Iran 3–0 North Korea
Fariba 49'
Faraki 66', 76'

1984 Asian Cup[edit]

Group B[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  China 4 3 0 1 10 2 +8 6 Advance to knockout stage
2  Iran 4 2 2 0 6 1 +5 6
3  United Arab Emirates 4 2 0 2 3 8 −5 4
4  Singapore (H) 4 1 1 2 3 4 −1 3
5  India 4 0 1 3 0 7 −7 1
Source: RSSSF
(H) Hosts
Iran 3 – 0 United Arab Emirates
Alidousti 27'
Shahrokh Bayani 85' (pen.)
Mohammadkhani 87'
Attendance: 8,000

Iran 2 – 0 China
Mohammadkhani 57'
Arabshahi 69'
Attendance: 19,000

Iran 0 – 0 India
Attendance: 10,000

Singapore 1 – 1 Iran
Saad 61' Shahrokh Bayani 55' (pen.)
Attendance: 2,000

Semi-finals[edit]

Third place match[edit]

1988 Asian Cup[edit]

Group A[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  South Korea 4 4 0 0 9 2 +7 8 Advance to knockout stage
2  Iran 4 2 1 1 3 3 0 5
3  Qatar (H) 4 2 0 2 7 6 +1 4
4  United Arab Emirates 4 1 0 3 2 4 −2 2
5  Japan 4 0 1 3 0 6 −6 1
Source: RSSSF
(H) Hosts
Iran 2–0 Qatar
Bavi 6'
Pious 89'
Report
Attendance: 20,000

Japan 0–0 Iran
Report
Attendance: 4,000

Iran 1–0 United Arab Emirates
Pious 27' Report
Attendance: 4,000

South Korea 3–0 Iran
Byun Byung-Joo 26', 57'
Hwang Sun-Hong 42'
Report
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Neji Jouini (Tunisia)

Semi-finals[edit]

Saudi Arabia 1–0 Iran
Abdullah 16' Report
Attendance: 17,000

Third place match[edit]

China 0–0 Iran
Report
Penalties
Duan Ju soccer ball with red X
Wang Baoshan soccer ball with red X
Wu Wenbing soccer ball with red X
0–3 soccer ball with check mark Moharrami
soccer ball with check mark Ansarifard
soccer ball with check mark Ghayeghran
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Ahmad Bash (Jordan)

1992 Asian Cup[edit]

The 1992 tournament was considered as the most disappointing tournament for Iran, after ended up in group stage and got eliminated for the first time in the history. It remains as the only time Iran failed to qualify from the group stage.

The last match between Japan and Iran has been a significant subject on the criticism. Iran came to the match with four points, an advantage comparing to its Japanese rival which was forced to gain a win after two draws. However, the match was marred with three red cards for the Iranian team, the first red card in early second half for Jamshid Shahmohammadi in 54' caused drain for the Iranian side when they played only with ten men. In 86', Kazuyoshi Miura scored the decisive goal for Japan that Iranian side had protested to be offside, but instead Nader Mohammadkhani and Farshad Pious were issued red card as well, thus Iran had to play entire of the last minutes with eight players, and eventually, lost 0–1 and eliminated from the competition; Japan went on to win its first Asian title, and marked the rise of Japan as an Asian football power.[2] Many Iranian supporters have continued to hold the match as the biggest robbery in their football history.[3]

Group A[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Japan (H) 3 1 2 0 2 1 +1 4 Advance to knockout stage
2  United Arab Emirates 3 1 2 0 2 1 +1 4
3  Iran 3 1 1 1 2 1 +1 3
4  North Korea 3 0 1 2 2 5 −3 1
Source: WorldFootball.net
(H) Hosts
North Korea 0–2 Iran
Report Pious 30'
Ghayeghran 80'

Iran 0–0 United Arab Emirates
Report
Attendance: 25,000

Japan 1–0 Iran
Miura 87' Report

1996 Asian Cup[edit]

Group B[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Iran 3 2 0 1 7 3 +4 6 Advance to knockout stage
2  Saudi Arabia 3 2 0 1 7 3 +4 6
3  Iraq 3 2 0 1 6 3 +3 6
4  Thailand 3 0 0 3 2 13 −11 0
Source: RSSSF


Iran 1–2 Iraq
Daei 90' (pen.) Report Fawzi 37'
Sabbar 69'
Attendance: 15,000

Thailand 1–3 Iran
Senamuang 80' Report Saadavi 38'
Minavand 54'
Daei 70'
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Lu Jun (China)

Saudi Arabia 0–3 Iran
Report Daei 12'
Bagheri 37'
Azizi 47'
Attendance: 12,000

Quarter-finals[edit]

South Korea 2–6 Iran
Kim Do-Hoon 11'
Shin Tae-Yong 35'
Report Bagheri 31'
Azizi 52'
Daei 66', 76', 83', 89' (pen.)
Attendance: 19,000

Semi-finals[edit]

Third place match[edit]

2000 Asian Cup[edit]

Group A[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Iran 3 2 1 0 6 1 +5 7 Advance to knockout stage
2  Iraq 3 1 1 1 4 3 +1 4
3  Thailand 3 0 2 1 2 5 −3 2
4  Lebanon (H) 3 0 2 1 3 7 −4 2
Source: RSSSF
(H) Hosts
Lebanon 0–4 Iran
Report Bagheri 19'
Estili 75', 87'
Daei 90+1'
Attendance: 52,418
Referee: Lu Jun (China)

Iran 1–1 Thailand
Daei 73' Report Pituratana 12'

Iran 1–0 Iraq
Daei 77' Report

Quarter-finals[edit]

Iran 1–2 (a.e.t.) South Korea
Bagheri 71' Report Kim Sang-Sik 90'
Lee Dong-Gook gold-colored soccer ball 99'

2004 Asian Cup[edit]

Group D[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Japan 3 2 1 0 5 1 +4 7 Advance to knockout stage
2  Iran 3 1 2 0 5 2 +3 5
3  Oman 3 1 1 1 4 3 +1 4
4  Thailand 3 0 0 3 1 9 −8 0
Source: RSSSF
Iran 3–0 Thailand
Enayati 71'
Nekounam 80'
Daei 86' (pen.)
Report

Oman 2–2 Iran
Al-Hosni 31', 40' Report Karimi 61'
Nosrati 90+4'

Japan 0–0 Iran
Report

Quarter-finals[edit]

South Korea 3–4 Iran
Seol Ki-Hyeon 16'
Lee Dong-Gook 25'
Kim Nam-Il 68'
Report Karimi 10', 20', 77'
Park Jin-Seop 51' (o.g.)

Semi-finals[edit]

Third place match[edit]

Iran 4–2 Bahrain
Nekounam 9'
Karimi 52'
Daei 80' (pen.), 90'
Report Yousef 48'
Farhan 57'
Attendance: 10,000

2007 Asian Cup[edit]

Group C[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Iran 3 2 1 0 6 3 +3 7 Advance to knockout stage
2  Uzbekistan 3 2 0 1 9 2 +7 6
3  China 3 1 1 1 7 6 +1 4
4  Malaysia (H) 3 0 0 3 1 12 −11 0
Source: Asian Cup 2007
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(H) Hosts


Malaysia 0–2 Iran
Report Nekounam 29' (pen.)
Teymourian 77'

Quarter-finals[edit]

2011 Asian Cup[edit]

Group D[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Iran 3 3 0 0 6 1 +5 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  Iraq 3 2 0 1 3 2 +1 6
3  North Korea 3 0 1 2 0 2 −2 1
4  United Arab Emirates 3 0 1 2 0 4 −4 1
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
11 January 2011
Iraq  1–2  Iran
15 January 2011
Iran  1–0  North Korea
19 January 2011
United Arab Emirates  0–3  Iran

Quarter-finals[edit]

Iran 0–1 (a.e.t.) South Korea
Report Yoon Bit-Garam 105'
Attendance: 7,111

2015 Asian Cup[edit]

Group C[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Iran 3 3 0 0 4 0 +4 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  United Arab Emirates 3 2 0 1 6 3 +3 6
3  Bahrain 3 1 0 2 3 5 −2 3
4  Qatar 3 0 0 3 2 7 −5 0
Source: Asian Cup Australia 2015
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
11 January 2015
Iran  2–0  Bahrain AAMI Park, Melbourne
15 January 2015
Qatar  0–1  Iran Stadium Australia, Sydney
19 January 2015
Iran  1–0  United Arab Emirates Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane

Quarter-finals[edit]

With the third strait defeats in the quarter-finals, Iran had failed to pass through the quarter-finals for three consecutive Asian Cup. Adding with the last time Iran crowned as champion in 1976, Iran had not won the Asian Cup for 43 years.

2019 Asian Cup[edit]

Ali Daei, former Iran's international, stated Iran would have to be more confident to win the Asian Cup and ended their 47 years in drought of the title, citing their 2018 World Cup participation as useful to help Iran.[6]

Group D[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Iran 3 2 1 0 7 0 +7 7 Advance to knockout stage
2  Iraq 3 2 1 0 6 2 +4 7
3  Vietnam 3 1 0 2 4 5 −1 3
4  Yemen 3 0 0 3 0 10 −10 0
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Iran 5–0 Yemen
Report

Vietnam 0–2 Iran
Report
Attendance: 10,841

Iran 0–0 Iraq
Report
Attendance: 15,038

Round of 16[edit]

Iran 2–0 Oman
Report

Quarter-finals[edit]

China 0–3 Iran
Report

Semi-finals[edit]


Iran 0–3 Japan
Report

2023 Asian Cup[edit]

Group C[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Iran 3 3 0 0 7 2 +5 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  United Arab Emirates 3 1 1 1 5 4 +1 4
3  Palestine 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 4
4  Hong Kong 3 0 0 3 1 7 −6 0
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Iran 4–1 Palestine
Report

Hong Kong 0–1 Iran
Report

Iran 2–1 United Arab Emirates
Report

Knockout stage[edit]

Round of 16[edit]

Quarter-finals[edit]

Iran 2–1 Japan
Report
Attendance: 35,640
Referee: Ma Ning (China)

Semi-finals[edit]

Iran 2–3 Qatar
Report
Attendance: 40,342
Referee: Ahmad Al-Ali (Kuwait)

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Asian Cup 1968 Iran - Final round".
  2. ^ "How the 1992 Asian Cup awoke Japanese football, the continent's sleeping giant". 4 January 2019. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  3. ^ "1992 Asian Championship Campaign".
  4. ^ "BetExplorer soccer stats - results, tables, soccer stats & odds".
  5. ^ "Iraq beat Iran on penalties to settle classic Asian Cup encounter". TheGuardian.com. 23 January 2015.
  6. ^ "Daei Confident Iran Will Win AFC Asian Cup Title". 4 May 2018.