Education City Stadium, Qatar – Iran, supported by thousands of vociferous supporters, eliminated favorites Japan and secured a place in the semi-finals of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup with a famous 2-1 win.

In a game that was considered an early finale to the tournament given both teams’ history in the competition, their FIFA rankings and their strong squads, Iran turned the tables on the four-time champions on a chilly Saturday afternoon at Qatar’s Education City Stadium.

In a tournament now known for its late drama, Iran captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored one of the most famous goals in his country’s Asian Cup history with a heartbreaking stoppage-time penalty that secured Team Melli a place in the championship runners-up Semifinals on Wednesday.

In the first few minutes of the game, Japan stormed towards the Iranian goal several times but failed to capitalize on their chances, much to the delight of the large Iranian force behind them.

Hidemasa Morita changed that with his goal in the 28th minute and the small groups of Japanese fans scattered around the stadium finally made their presence felt. However, it hardly deterred Team Melli’s fans, who increased their synchronized clapping and chanting a few notches.

The team, one of the oldest teams in the tournament, took off their socks after the half-time break and began a back-and-forth with the Samurai Blue, who were hoping for an equalizer.

Perhaps they wanted to impress their coach Amir Ghalenoei, who had criticized the team for missing several scoring opportunities in Thursday’s round of 16 game against Syria.

“I’m not really happy with the performance of some players, but I’m very happy with the discipline we showed,” Ghalenoei said.

The Iranians’ first goal finally came ten minutes into the second half when Mohammed Mohebi pushed Sardar Azmoun’s through ball into the Japanese goal, sending the fans into an uproar. Their unwavering support had finally paid off.

More than two-thirds of the spectators were either dressed in the colors of Iran or carrying Iranian flags. Some, like Wafai Salar, had traveled from across the Arabian Gulf to support their team.

He arrived in Doha from the western province of Lorestan 10 days ago to support his team in the final stages of the tournament.

“We can’t doubt our team,” Salar told Al Jazeera before the game.

This belief was reiterated by 72-year-old superfan Mohamed Mirza, who said that the team did not feel the absence of their star striker Mehdi Taremi, who was missing in the game against Syria due to his two yellow cards.

“We have 24 Taremis in the squad,” he shouted after the game.

“I have lived in Qatar for decades and have seen three Asian Cups here, so now the team owes me a trophy,” Mirza said before resuming his chants for Iran.

In fact, Ghalenoei’s side showed they were up to the challenge against heavy favorites Japan by defending their goal and then following up with runs into the Japanese half. One of these, late in stoppage time, led to Iran winning a penalty.

The late drama was too much for some fans, who turned their backs on the pitch before Jahanbakhsh took the penalty. As soon as the ball landed in the top left corner, a commotion broke out in the stands and on the field. Iran’s substitutes ran onto the pitch to celebrate and their fans jumped out of their seats.

Three minutes later, the referee’s whistle confirmed Japan’s sending off. The Japanese fans sitting behind their goal held their heads in their hands and shed tears of anguish and disbelief.

Across the aisle, nine-year-old Iran fan Ario was also crying. The dramatic last-minute penalty was too much for the young fan.

“I was so nervous before the penalty was taken that I peeled the skin off my fingers,” he told Al Jazeera as tears streamed down his cheeks.

Ario, a Canadian-Iranian citizen, has never been to his parents’ country of birth but would like to play for Team Melli one day.

“I get so excited every time I see her play, so I want to be like her one day,” he said.

Ghalenoei’s men will give Ario and the millions of Iran fans around the world another chance to ride the wave of emotion when they take on the winners of the Qatar-Uzbekistan quarter-final in four days.

Old-timers like Mirza could even be lucky for the third time when the three-time champions go home with the trophy on February 10th.