Having substitute striker Arash Borhani sent off on 71 minutes, the Iranian team powered by Asian Player of the Year Mahdi Mahdavikia and top playmaker-cum-scorer Ali Karimi added three to midfielder Javad Nakunam’s first-half goal to beat Bahrain 4-2, avenging a 3-1 loss to the Persian Gulf minnow in 2002 World Cup qualifiers that ultimately cost Iran a spot in the finals.
Iran took an early lead as Nekunam rushed to a ball skipper Ali Daei was carrying to side-foot home in the eighth minute.
Talal Yusuf leveled the match three minutes after the interval with a curling free-kick.
But Karimi put the three-time champion Iran ahead on 51 minutes with a spectacular volley above the advancing keeper Abdulrahman Abdulkarim.
Bahrain celebrated the equalizer six minutes later as he steered home a rebound in the goalmouth.
Iran reduced to 10 men when Borhani received his marching orders for a dangerous lunge in the midfield in the 71st minute.
But Iran scored another two goals in 10 minutes. Karimi cleared three players in the box and was brought down by Abdulkarim on 79 minutes, leading to a penalty kick which was converted by captain Daei.
Hamburg right winger Mahdavikia provided Daei with a gilt-edged cross one minute from time, leaving him alone with Abdulkarim to beat.
The match turned sour in the stoppage time as Yusuf committed a wild tackle on Daei, stirring a brawl on the pitch.
Mahdavikia who rarely loses his temper reacted and was red-carded along with Yusuf.
Host China and Japan meet at the final showdown at 66,161-seater Workers Stadium Saturday.
KK/IS
END
MNA
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