After a wild match that included 13 penalty kicks and six goals in regulation and extra time, Iraq and Columbus Crew SC midfielder Justin Meram have advanced to the Asian Cup semifinals.
Meram started and played 45 minutes in Iraq's 3-3 (7-6) win over neighbors Iran in the AFC Asian Cup Semifinal early Friday morning in Canberra, Australia.
Iran took a lead in the 24th minute as Sardar Azmoun finished past Iraqi 'keeper Jalal Hassan to make it 1-0. Iran went down to 10 men following a second yellow card issued to Mehrdad Pooladi just before halftime, and Iraq rallied in the second half with Ahmed Yasin scoring the equalizer in the 56th minute. The drama continued into extra time as the two countries traded goals twice, with Iran forcing a penalty-kick shootout in the 119th minute.
The Lions of Mesopotamia would go on to advance 7-6 in the shootout.
Iraq now face South Korea in the semifinal at 4 am ET on Monday. Host nation Australia and the United Arab Emirates square-off in the other semifinal match.
