Japan's Yuya Osako celebrates scoring their second goal during the AFC Asian Cup Semi-Final against Iran at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates on January 28. (REUTERS/SUHAIB SALEM Photo)
AL AIN (United Arab Emirates), January 28 (Reuters): Werder Bremen striker Yuya Osako scored twice in 11 second-half minutes to help four-times champions Japan into the final of the Asian Cup with a 3-0 victory over tournament favourites Iran on Monday.
Osako headed the first home in the 56th minute and added his second from the penalty spot to help set up a date with either hosts the United Arab Emirates or Qatar in Friday's final in Abu Dhabi.
Genki Haraguchi put a gloss to the scoreline with a powerful run and shot in stoppage time at the end of the match but the contest was already long decided.
Iran had been the form team of the tournament but their dreams of a ending a 43-year wait for a fourth continental title were left in tatters by the clinical Samurai Blue.
Carlos Queiroz announced in the post-match news conference that his nearly eight-year run as Iran coach, which took in two World Cups, was over.
"I think the simplest thing to do is to copy the old song: 'and now, the end is here'," the Portuguese said, misquoting the song Frank Sinatra made famous.
"I'm happy and proud to say I did it my way."
Roared on by a noisy majority of the crowd, the Iranians had enjoyed the better of a competitive, if goalless, first half but were completely deflated by Osako's twin strikes and never looked like fighting their way back into the match.
