QATAR THRASHED UAE IN ASIAN CUP SEMIFINALS

Qatar hammered hosts United Arab Emirates to reach the Asian Cup football final. Dubbed the Blockade Derby, the match was the first meeting between the two regional rivals since the start of the Gulf crisis.

Qatar opened the scoring with Boualem Khoukhi in the 22nd minute with Almoez Ali adding a second 15 minutes later. Hassan al-Haydos added a third in the 80th minute with a chip over the UAE goal-keeper and Ismaeil sealed Qatar's progress with a goal in injury time.

The match was marred by crowd disruptions twice where shoes and bottles were thrown at Qatari players celebrating after scoring. Qatar's qualify to the title match for the first time where it will face Japan on Friday.

JAPAN STUN IRAN TO TAKE ASIAN CUP FINAL SPOT

Japan stunned favourites Iran 3-0 in the Asian Cup semi-finals to move one win away from their fifth title on Monday. Iran have been in excellent form at this tournament with 12 unanswered goals en route to the semis.

Werder Bremen striker Yuya Osako opened the scoring in the 56th minute and added his second from the penalty spot. Genki Haraguchi then scored in stoppage time to complete the victory.

A sad exit for Iran as Japan reached their fifth final in the last 8 tournaments. The Samurai Blue will face either hosts United Arab Emirates or Qatar in Friday's final in Abu Dhabi.

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