Iran survive Syria penalty drama to reach Asian Cup quarter-finals

They survived extra time with 10 men before defeating Syria 5-3 on penalties on Wednesday. Skipper Ehsan Hajsafi scored the winning penalty for Iran, who are ranked 70 places above Syria and were comfortably the better team for an hour of the last-16 game. Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand was the penalty hero, saving Syria's second spot-kick.

Taremi was a central figure, winning a first-half penalty and putting it away to give Iran a deserved lead. Syria had barely been in the game but equalised just after the hour, also from the spot, before Taremi was sent off in second-half injury time.

Coached by the wily Argentine Hector Cuper, Syria were in the knockout rounds for the first time at their seventh Asian Cup. Their plan was to sit deep and hit on the break at a raucous Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.