By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 24 – Two times 2nd place, three times 3rd place and three times 4th place is the Asian Cup history, but for Marcello Lippi’s Chinese who meet Iran today at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter final.
These two Asian powerhouses have met six times but this first time in the quarter final of the continental competition. Mighty Iran start as favorites having defeated China twice in the Asian Cup while Chinese are looking for their first regular time victory.
Prior to those two matches their previous three matches had ended drawn, 2-2 in 2007 in the group stage, 1-1 in 2004 semi-final when China won the penalty shot-out, and 0-0 in 1988 when Iran clinched third place in a penalty shot-out.
The last Asian Cup regular victory was back in 1984 as Iran defeated China 2-0 in the group stage.
The first Asian Cup encounter between Iran and China, however, was in the 1976 semi final when Iran won 2-0 in the extra time. In 1980, both teams negotiated 2-2 draw in the group stage.
Iran, under Portuguese tactician Carlos Queiroz, knocked out Oman in round 16 while China progressed through Thailand in the 2019 Asian Cup.
Both national teams met 22 times in their all-time head to head, Iran managed 12 victories against 4 for China.
Iran in Quarter Final
7 Appearances
2 Progressed
4 Knocked-out
14 QF goals
China in Quarter Final
5 Appearances
2 Progressed
2 Knocked-out
9 QF goals
Iran vs China AFC Asian Cup Head-to-Head
| Iran | China | |
| 6 | Games | 6 |
| 2 | Win | 0 |
| 1 | Penalty win | 1 |
| 4 | Draw | 4 |
| 3 | Clean sheet | 1 |
| 9 | Goals | 5 |
Source: mundial11
Iran Vs China AFC Asian Cup Head-to-Head Matches
11/06/76 Iran 2-0 China AFC Asian Cup 1976
20/09/80 China 2-2 Iran AFC Asian Cup 1980
03/12/84 Iran 2-0 China AFC Asian Cup 1984
17/12/88 China 0-0 Iran AFC Asian Cup 1988
03/08/04 China 1-1 Iran AFC Asian Cup 2004
15/07/07 China 2-2 Iran AFC Asian Cup 2007
Iran vs China all-time Head-to-Head
| Iran | China | |
| 22 | Games | 22 |
| 12 | Win | 4 |
| 6 | Draw | 6 |
| 10 | Clean sheet | 6 |
| 36 | Goals | 18 |
Source: mundial11
Iran Vs China all-time Head-to-Head Matches
11/06/76 Iran 2-0 China AFC Asian Cup 1976
20/09/80 China 2-2 Iran AFC Asian Cup 1980
03/12/84 Iran 2-0 China AFC Asian Cup 1984
28/05/87 China 2-1 Iran International Friendly
17/12/88 China 0-0 Iran AFC Asian Cup 1988
15/07/89 China 2-0 Iran FIFA World Cup qualifier
22/07/89 Iran 3-2 China FIFA World Cup qualifier
07/10/94 Iran 0-1 China Asian Games
28/04/97 China 0-0 Iran International Friendly
13/09/97 China 2-4 Iran FIFA World Cup qualifier
17/10/97 Iran 4-1 China FIFA World Cup qualifier
12/12/98 Iran 2-1 China Asian Games
16/12/98 Iran 1-0 China Asian Games
19/01/01 Iran 4-0 China Cup of Ancient Civilizations
03/08/04 China 1-1 Iran AFC Asian Cup 2004
15/07/07 China 2-2 Iran AFC Asian Cup 2007
19/12/08 China 0-2 Iran International Friendly
09/01/09 Iran 3-1 China International Friendly
01/06/09 China 1-0 Iran International Friendly
03/09/10 China 0-2 Iran International Friendly
06/09/16 China 0-0 Iran FIFA World Cup qualifier
28/03/17 Iran 1-0 China FIFA World Cup qualifier
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