TEHRAN – Iran national football team defeated China 3-0 in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final on Thursday.

In the match held in Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Sardar Azmoun robbed a ball from Feng Xiaoting in the 18th minute and passed it to Mehdi Taremi who was ready to open the empty goal.

In the 31th minute, Azmoun took advantage of yet more blunder from China defender Liu Yiming and then rounded goalkeeper Yan Junling to made scoreboard 2-0.  

Iran were the dominant team in the second half and created several chances but the team’s strikers wasted their opportunities.

Substitute Karim Ansarifard scored Iran’s third goal after a gift from Shi Ke in the added time.

Team Melli will face Japan in the competition’s semis on Jan. 28.

Iran last won the Cup in 1976 and they are looking forward to end their 43-year trophy drought in the competition.

Reporting by Masoud Hossein