2015 AFC Asian Cup Group D

Football tournament group stage October 2026 Group D of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup was one of four groups of nations competing at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. The group's first round of matches were played on 12 January, the second round on 16 January, and the final round on 20 January. All six group matches were played at venues in Australia. The group consisted of title holders Japan, Jordan, Iraq and Palestine.http://www.the-afc.com/uploads/afc/files/AC_2015F_matchSchedule_FA.pdf Match Schedule AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 AFC 20 January 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20190412180005/http://www.the-afc.com/uploads/afc/files/AC_2015F_matchSchedule_FA.pdf 12 April 2019 live Japan and Iraq advanced as group winners and runners-up respectively, while Jordan and Palestine were eliminated. Teams Draw position Team Method ofqualification Date ofqualification Finalsappearance Lastappearance Previous bestperformance FIFA Rankings March 2014nb The rankings of March 2014 were used for seeding for the final draw. Start of event D1 JPN 2011 AFC Asian Cup winners 25 January 2011 8th 2011 Winners (1992, 2000, 2004, 2011) 48 54 D2 JOR Group A runners-up 4 February 2014 3rd 2011 Quarter-finals (2004, 2011) 66 93 D3 IRQ Group C runners-up 5 March 2014 8th 2011 Winners (2007) 103 114 D4 PLE 2014 AFC Challenge Cup winners 30 May 2014 1st — — 167 115 Notes nb Standings main football complete Asian Cup Australia 2015 JPN IRQ JOR PLE KO KO 2 0 1 3 1 3 0 0 7 0 1 0 2 5 4 0 0 3 1 11 IRQ JPN JOR PLE Q green1 Advance to knockout stage Tiebreakers In the quarter-finals: Japan advanced to play United Arab Emirates (runner-up of Group C). Iraq advanced to play Iran (winner of Group C). Matches Japan vs Palestine Japan kicked off the defence of their AFC Asian Cup title as Javier Aguirre's side notched up an empathic 4–0 win over tournament debutants and rivals Palestine at Newcastle Stadium. Yasuhito Endō, Shinji Okazaki, Keisuke Honda and Maya Yoshida were all on the scorer as the four-time continental champions showed their class to pick up all three points on a blustery evening.http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2015/01/12/japan-far-too-strong-palestine Japan far too strong for Palestine 25 October 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304004117/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2015/01/12/japan-far-too-strong-palestine 4 March 2016 live'Soldiers without weapons': Palestine football's painful journey 11 January 2015 CNN https://web.archive.org/web/20220726143143/https://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/11/football/palestine-asian-cup-japan-football/ 26 July 2022 live https://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/11/football/palestine-asian-cup-japan-football/ Palestine, appearing in the competition for the first time after winning the AFC Challenge Cup in May 2014, finished the game with 10 men after Ahmed Harbi was sent-off for a late challenge on Shinji Kagawa that earned him a second booking after being cautioned in first half injury time. Aguirre made his intentions clear from the start by fielding a full strength line-up against Palestine and it took just eight minutes for the defending champions to notch their opening goal. Endo, earning his 149th cap for his country and making a Japanese record 18th appearance at the AFC Asian Cup, took aim from 25 yards out and his low left foot strike gave Ramzi Saleh little chance as it settled into the goalkeeper's bottom right corner. By the 25th minute, Japan had doubled their lead with Okazaki showing razor sharp reflexes to head Kagawa's shot from the edge of the area past Saleh. And just a minute before the half-time break Honda made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after Kagawa was brought down by Mus'ab Al-Batat. Palestine saw little of the ball in the opening 45 minutes, although Ismail Al-Amour fashioned a rare opportunity five minutes before the break, only to drag his effort from the edge of the area across the face of goal.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-12/japan-thumps-palestine-in-asian-cup/6013300 Japan thumps Palestine in Asian Cup 12 January 2015 25 October 2026 Australian Broadcasting Corporation https://web.archive.org/web/20241223033338/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-12/japan-thumps-palestine-in-asian-cup/6013300 23 December 2024 live There was little let-up from Japan at the beginning of the second half with Endo trying his luck again from long distance – this time with his right foot – but Saleh was equal to the task, turning the ball around his right post. Seconds later, though, Yoshida headed home Japan's fourth, rising highest to nod in Kagawa's corner as the gulf in class between the teams became ever more apparent. Mahajna's sending off threatened to cause further problems for Palestine but, despite being down to 10 men, central defender Abdelatif Bahdari almost claimed a consolation goal eight minutes from time when his flying header went just wide. Gōtoku Sakai and Yoshinori Muto both tried their luck in the dying minutes to extend Japan's lead, but in the end the titleholders commenced their defence of the trophy in a convincing manner.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-13/asian-cup3a-japan27s-keisuke-honda-criticises-standard-of-ref/6013684 Japan's Honda rips into Asian Cup referees 12 January 2015 25 October 2026 Australian Broadcasting Corporation https://web.archive.org/web/20251017195048/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-13/asian-cup3a-japan27s-keisuke-honda-criticises-standard-of-ref/6013684 17 October 2025 live 12 January 2015 18:00 AEDT (UTC+11) JPN 4–0 Report PLE Endō 8 Okazaki 25 Honda 43 pen. Yoshida 49 Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle 17,147 Abdulrahman Abdou (Qatar) _JFA_14h _JFA_14h _JFA_14h _JFA_14h _JFA_14h FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF Japan_palestina15h _palestina15h _palestina15h _palestina15h FF0000 FF0000 FF0000 FF0000 FF0000 Palestine GK 1 Eiji KawashimaRB 21Gōtoku SakaiCB 22Maya YoshidaCB 6 Masato MorishigeLB 5 Yuto NagatomoDM17Makoto Hasebe (c)RM 4 Keisuke HondaCM 10Shinji KagawaCM 7 Yasuhito Endō 58LM 18Takashi Inui 46CF 9 Shinji Okazaki 80Substitutions:MF 8 Hiroshi Kiyotake 46MF 14Yoshinori Muto 58FW 11Yohei Toyoda 80Manager:MEX Javier Aguirre300px GK 21Ramzi Saleh (c)RB 18Mus'ab Al-BatatCB 4 Ahmed Harbi 2 45+1 73CB 15Abdelatif Bahdari 69LB 14Abdullah JaberCM 20Khader Yousef 70CM 23Murad Ismail SaidRW 10Ismail Al-Amour 60 82LW 7 Ashraf Nu'man 43SS 19Abdelhamid AbuhabibCF 16Mahmoud Eid 75Substitutions:MF 8 Hesham Salhe 70DF 12Tamer Salah 75DF 3 Hussam Abu Saleh 82Manager:Ahmed Al Hassan Man of the Match: Shinji Okazaki (Japan)Keiran Smith Japan opens Asian Cup with 4–0 win over Palestine in Group D http://www.kentucky.com/2015/01/12/3637149_japan-opens-asian-cup-with-4-0.html Lexington Herald-Leader Associated Press 12 January 2015 12 January 2015 13 January 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150113173808/http://www.kentucky.com/2015/01/12/3637149_japan-opens-asian-cup-with-4-0.html?rh=1 dead Assistant referees: Taleb Salem Al-Marri (Qatar) Ramzan Saeed Al-Naemi (Qatar) Fourth official: Mohd Amirul Izwan (Malaysia) Fifth official: Mohd Yusri Muhamad (Malaysia) Jordan vs Iraq Yaser Kasim scored a late winner as 2007 AFC Asian Cup champions Iraq produced a gritty 1–0 victory over 10-man Jordan at Brisbane Stadium to move level on points with Japan, and also became the first ever group stage loss of Jordanian team. Kasim struck with 13 minutes remaining in the crucial meeting between the Arab rivals ahead of their clash with Japan on 16 January. But while Iraq had more of the possession by a comfortable margin, both sides were starved for clear-cut chances in the opening half. Iraq thought they had created a chance in the 16th minute when Kasim picked out Younis Mahmoud, but Tareq Khattab came to the rescue by snuffing out the iconic striker with a sliding tackle.Yaser Kasim strikes it lucky as Iraq beat Jordan in Asian Cup 12 January 2015 The Guardian https://web.archive.org/web/20200907120728/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/12/iraq-beat-jordan-asian-cup-2015 7 September 2020 live https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/12/iraq-beat-jordan-asian-cup-2015 Jordan coach Ray Wilkins had said a day earlier that if his team failed to qualify for the quarter-finals it would not be because of a lack of effort, and his troops proved the former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder right with an industrious performance right down to the final whistle. But equally, Jordan struggled over the last third of the pitch, missing that touch of creativity necessary to penetrate Iraq's defense as striker Odai Al-Saify was free in front of goal a minute before the hour mark only to float a back-header over the crossbar. During the following sequence, Mohammad Mustafa had another chance for Jordan from the heart of the penalty area, but mishit the ball, shooting harmlessly into the arms of goalkeeper Jalal Hasan.http://www.goal.com/en/match/jordan-vs-iraq/1466405/report Jordan 0-1 Iraq: Kasim steals win with late goal 25 October 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20160326155224/http://www.goal.com/en/match/jordan-vs-iraq/1466405/report 26 March 2016 live But just when a draw appeared to be on the horizon, Iraq put an end to the stalemate in the 77th minute through Kasim, who slashed his way into the penalty area from right angle before pulling the trigger and seeing his shot deflected off Khattab to wrong-foot goalkeeper Amer Shafi. The momentum continued to swing in Iraq's favor as in the 84th minute Jordan defender Anas Bani Yaseen was given his marching orders after collecting a second booking for a late shoulder charge on Saad Abdul-Amir.https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/asian-cup-2015-iraq-take-points-against-jordan-in-lacklustre-game-20150112-12ms0g.html Asian Cup 2015: Iraq take points against Jordan in lacklustre game Phil Lutton 12 January 2015 The Sydney Morning Herald 25 October 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20150122065336/http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/soccer-match-report/asian-cup-2015-iraq-take-points-against-jordan-in-lacklustre-game-20150112-12ms0g.html 22 January 2015 live 12 January 2015 19:00 AEST (UTC+10) JOR 0–1 Report IRQ * Kasim 77 Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane 6,840 Fahad Al-Mirdasi (Saudi Arabia) _jomasupernova2wr _jomasupernova2rw _jomasupernova2rw _joma19wr FFFFFF FFFFFF MMMMMM FFFFFF FFFFFF Jordan _iraq15a _iraq15a 008000 008000 008000 008000 008000 Iraq GK 1 Amer Shafi (c)RB 11Oday ZahranCB 3 Tareq KhattabCB 19Anas Bani Yaseen 2 54 84LB 21Mohammad Al-DmeiriDM 5 Mohammad MustafaRM13Khalil Bani Attiah 60LM 18Ahmed Elias 8 87AM 9 Ahmed Sariweh 81CF 10Ahmad HayelCF 8 Odai Al-Saify 87Substitutions:MF 23Yousef Al-Rawashdeh 60FW 7 Mahmoud Za'tara 90+2 81MF 14Abdallah Deeb 87Manager:ENG Ray Wilkins300px GK 12Jalal HasanRB 23Waleed SalemCB 2 Ahmad IbrahimCB 14Salam ShakerLB 15Dhurgham IsmailCM 5 Yaser Kasim 51CM 21Saad Abdul-AmirRW 7 Amjad Kalaf 83AM 17Alaa Abdul-Zahra 19  90LW 11Humam Tariq 57CF 10Younis Mahmoud (c) 73Substitutions:FW 8 Justin Meram 57MF 9 Ahmed Yasin 73MF 13Osama Rashid 90Manager:Radhi Shenaishil Man of the Match: Yaser Kasim (Iraq)Kasim the match winner for Iraq http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/sport/11717465.Kasim_the_match_winner_for_Iraq/ Gazette and Herald 12 January 2015 12 January 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20181024232006/https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/sport/11717465.Kasim_the_match_winner_for_Iraq/ 24 October 2018 live Assistant referees: Badr Al-Shumrani (Saudi Arabia) Abdulah Al Shalwai (Saudi Arabia) Fourth official: Hettikamkanamge Perera (Sri Lanka) Fifth official: Palitha Hemathunga (Sri Lanka) Palestine vs Jordan Hamza Al-Dardour became only the fourth player in the history of the AFC Asian Cup to score four goals in a single game as two-time quarter-finalists Jordan kept their knockout stage hopes alive with a resounding 5–1 win over Palestine. Yousef Al-Rawashdeh's eye-catching strike 12 minutes before half-time at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium settled any nerves for Jordan, who had previously not won a match since their final AFC Asian Cup qualifier in March 2013 having suffered a 1–0 defeat by Iraq in their tournament opener.http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/asian-cup-2015-jordan-beat-palestine-5-1-as-hamza-aldaradreh-bags-four-goals/story-fnqk652h-1227187604147 Asian Cup 2015: Jordan beat Palestine 5-1, as Hamza Aldaradreh bags four goals 25 October 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20200526014316/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/asian-cup/asian-cup-2015-jordan-beat-palestine-51-as-hamza-aldaradreh-bags-four-goals/news-story/75316b82b9a3e79d322f8e5c266ac3f9?nk=c37588e72e5f40c1ebfe080ef5be2a34-1590457396 26 May 2020 live And with recalled striker Al Dardour netting twice inside the final ten minutes of the first half before scoring twice inside the final 15 minutes, Jordan would remain in Melbourne to face defending champions Japan on 20 January still in contention to maintain their 100% record of qualifying for the quarter-finals. Debutants Palestine, though, would travel to Canberra to face Iraq facing an uphill battle to still progress having earlier lost 4–0 to Japan despite Jaka Ihbeisheh netting their historic first AFC Asian Cup goal with five minutes remaining.http://www.albawaba.com/sport/palestine-jordan-645048 Asian Cup 2015: Palestine 1-5 Jordan | Al Bawaba 25 October 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20190419122555/https://www.albawaba.com/sport/palestine-jordan-645048 19 April 2019 live With both sides looking to bounce back from opening defeats, 2014 AFC Challenge Cup winners Palestine almost opened the scoring after just five minutes as only an alert one-handed save from Jordan goalkeeper Amer Shafi turned Hesham Salhe's vicious dipping strike from 25 yards onto the crossbar. Jordan did settle into the contest as the half progressed, although Palestine goalkeeper Ramzi Saleh remained largely untested as Abdallah Deeb flashed an effort just wide of the post midway through the opening 45 minutes. But Saleh could do little 12 minutes before half-time as Jordan quickly worked the ball across and into the left hand corner of the penalty area for Ahmad, and with the midfielder given time to steady himself and pick his spot, he expertly curled the ball into the top corner past the despairing dive of the Palestine goalkeeper.Asian Cup: Japan hold off Iraq as Jordan hammer Palestine 17 January 2015 The Australian subscription https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/asian-cup-japan-hold-off-iraq-as-jordan-hammer-palestine/news-story/f009d1d65ead5385d8956b55821c516a Less than two minutes later Saleh was again beaten as the custodian was drawn out of position by Deeb as the striker charged into the area before the Jordan forward played the ball across the six yard area for Al Dardour to slide in bravely at the back post. And with the last kick of the first half Jordan added a third in stoppage time as Al Dardour, who did not feature during the opening defeat by Iraq, stabbed home from close range as Saleh was unable to cut out Odai Al-Saify's drilled first-time cross. Palestine looked to recover from a disastrous end to the first half and came out strongly after half-time, with only a superb one-handed block from Shafi denying Abdelhamid Abuhabib, although at the other end, Saleh had to be on his toes to push Oday Zahran's lofted effort over the crossbar. Ahmed Al Hassan's side continued to press in the closing stages, but with 15 minutes remaining, Al Dardour completed his hat-trick with a superb solo goal as the striker coolly beat Saleh having picked the ball up just inside Palestine's half. And five minutes later, Al Dardour joined Iranian duo Behtash Fariba and Ali Daei and Bahrain's Ismail Abdul-Latif on the list of players to score four goals at the AFC Asian Cup as the striker stabbed home Zahran's cross from just outside the six yard area. There was, though, still time for Palestine to net their first AFC Asian Cup goal as Ihbeisheh netted from close range with five minutes remaining.http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/212559/reftab/36/t/Jordan-thrash-winless-Palestine-5-1-to-keep-hopes-alive/Default.aspx Jordan thrash winless Palestine 5-1 to keep hopes alive 17 January 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215157/http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/212559/reftab/36/t/Jordan-thrash-winless-Palestine-5-1-to-keep-hopes-alive/Default.aspx 3 March 2016 livehttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-16/jordan-ease-past-palestine-to-earn-first-win/6022326 Jordan hammers Palestine 5-1 as al Daradreh scores four 16 January 2015 25 October 2026 Australian Broadcasting Corporation https://web.archive.org/web/20241223021351/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-16/jordan-ease-past-palestine-to-earn-first-win/6022326 23 December 2024 live 16 January 2015 18:00 AEDT (UTC+11) PLE 1–5 Report JOR Ihbeisheh 84 Al-Rawashdeh 32 Al-Dardour 34 45+2 75 79 Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne 10,808 Kim Jong-hyeok (South Korea) _palestina15h _palestina15h _palestina15h _palestina15h FF0000 FF0000 FF0000 FF0000 FF0000 Palestine _jomasupernova2rw _jomasupernova2wr _jomasupernova2rw _joma19wr FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF Jordan GK 21Ramzi Saleh (c) 80RB 18Mus'ab Al-BatatCB 15Abdelatif BahdariCB 12Tamer SalahLB 14Abdullah JaberRM 3 Hussam Abu Saleh 55CM 8 Hesham Salhe 80CM 23Murad Ismail SaidLM 13Jaka IhbeishehSS 19Abdelhamid AbuhabibCF 7 Ashraf Nu'man 73Substitutions:FW 10Ismail Al-Amour 55FW 16Mahmoud Eid 73MF 20Khader Yousef 80Manager:Ahmed Al Hassan300px GK 1 Amer Shafi (c)RB 11Oday ZahranCB 3 Tareq KhattabCB 5 Mohammad MustafaLB 21Mohammad Al-DmeiriDM 18Ahmed EliasRM 8 Odai Al-SaifyLM 23Yousef Al-Rawashdeh 69AM 6 Saeed Murjan 52CF 20Hamza Al-Dardour 81CF 14Abdallah DeebSubstitutions:MF 13Khalil Bani Attiah 52MF 9 Ahmed Sariweh 69MF 15Mohammad Al-Dawud 81Manager:ENG Ray Wilkins Man of the Match: Hamza Al-Dardour (Jordan)Jordan downs Palestine 5–1 in Group D https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2015/01/16/asian-cup-jordan-downs-palestine-5-1-in-group-d/21850853/ USA Today Associated Press 16 January 2015 16 January 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20190411040819/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2015/01/16/asian-cup-jordan-downs-palestine-5-1-in-group-d/21850853/ 11 April 2019 live Assistant referees: Jeong Hae-sang (South Korea) Yoon Kwang-yeol (South Korea) Fourth official: Ammar Al-Jeneibi (United Arab Emirates) Fifth official: Mohd Yusri Muhamad (Malaysia) Iraq vs Japan Man of the match Keisuke Honda's penalty helped Japan to their second straight victory as the defending champions eked out a 1–0 win over Iraq. Honda netted from the spot midway through the opening half as Javier Aguirre's side stayed on top of the group with the maximum six points, three points more than Iraq and Jordan, who defeated Palestine 5–1 earlier in the day. Japan's qualification for the quarter-finals rests on their last first-round game on 20 January in Melbourne against the Jordan.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-16/japan-downs-iraq-1-0-in-tight-asian-cup-encounter/6022508 Japan downs Iraq 1-0 in tight Asian Cup encounter 16 January 2015 25 October 2026 Australian Broadcasting Corporation https://web.archive.org/web/20241228034943/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-16/japan-downs-iraq-1-0-in-tight-asian-cup-encounter/6022508 28 December 2024 livehttps://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37398522/japan-beat-iraq-jordan-trounce-palestine Asian Cup: Japan beat Iraq, Jordan trounce Palestine Associated Press 16 January 2015 ESPN 25 October 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20241223030206/https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37398522/japan-beat-iraq-jordan-trounce-palestine 23 December 2024 live Honda was involved in all of Japan's best moments in the first half, starting with a through ball for Shinji Kagawa that the Borussia Dortmund man fired wide in the 11th minute. Iraq returned the favour four minutes later from a corner, Ahmad Ibrahim Khalaf calling Eiji Kawashima into action with a soaring header the Standard Liège custodian managed to keep out. Honda headed off the bottom of the right-hand post in the 17th minute before Yasuhito Endō, making his 150th appearance for Japan, started a sequence through the box that Kagawa should have finished on 21 minutes from close range. A minute later, though, Aguirre's men managed to put themselves on the scoreboard as Honda was taken down in the area by Ali Adnan. Honda stepped up to the spot himself, converting for his second goal of the tournament to push the holders in front.http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2015/01/16/japan-motors-honda-penalty-sinks-iraq Japan motors on as Honda penalty sinks Iraq 25 October 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063824/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2015/01/16/japan-motors-honda-penalty-sinks-iraq 4 March 2016 livehttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-16/asian-cup3a-japan-to-adopt-attacking-mind-set-against-iraq-in-/6021534 Japan to adopt attacking mind-set against Iraq 16 January 2015 25 October 2026 Australian Broadcasting Corporation https://web.archive.org/web/20241223030737/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-16/asian-cup3a-japan-to-adopt-attacking-mind-set-against-iraq-in-/6021534 23 December 2024 live Shinji Okazaki, said to be on the shopping list of several Premier League clubs this winter, should have doubled Japan's lead after 33 minutes but missed a free header that kept the Iraqis within one goal going into half-time. Two minutes after the break, Honda picked up where he left off in the first half, smashing against the crossbar with his weaker right foot from 20 yards out, and he had the best chance of the game four minutes past the hour that should have all but ended the contest.Honda spot on as Japan edge Iraq Substitute Hiroshi Kiyotake, who gave Japan a lift after coming on, set up Honda with a slick pass across the face of the goal but the A.C. Milan man, despite being completely free at the far post, somehow uncharacteristically missed, hitting the upright. Japan continued to flirt with the idea of scoring a second but came up short before the final whistle ended what turned out to be a relatively tame meeting between the winners of the last two Asian Cups.https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/asian-cup-the-lowdown-japan-v-iraq-20150115-12r1m7.html Asian Cup: The lowdown: Japan v Iraq Dominic Bossi 15 January 2015 The Sydney Morning Herald 25 October 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20200309131206/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/asian-cup-the-lowdown-japan-v-iraq-20150115-12r1m7.html 9 March 2020 live 16 January 2015 19:00 AEST (UTC+10) IRQ 0–1 Report JPN Honda 23 pen. Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane 22,941 Alireza Faghani (Iran) _iraq15h _iraq15h _iraq15h _iraq15h _iraq15h FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF Iraq _JFA_14h _JFA_14h _JFA_14h _JFA_14h _JFA_14h FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF Japan GK 12Jalal HasanRB 23Waleed SalemCB 2 Ahmad IbrahimCB 14Salam Shaker 61LB 15Dhurgham IsmailCM 21Saad Abdul-AmirCM 5 Yaser KasimRW 7 Amjad Kalaf 82AM 17Alaa Abdul-Zahra 51LW 6Ali Adnan 67CF 10Younis Mahmoud (c) 54Substitutions:FW 8 Justin Meram 54MF 9 Ahmed Yasin 67MF 13Osama Rashid 82Manager:Radhi Shenaishil300px GK 1 Eiji KawashimaRB 21Gōtoku SakaiCB 22Maya YoshidaCB 6 Masato MorishigeLB 5 Yuto NagatomoRM 10Shinji KagawaCM 17Makoto Hasebe (c)LM 7 Yasuhito Endō 63RW 4 Keisuke Honda 89LW 18Takashi Inui 63CF 9 Shinji OkazakiSubstitutions:MF 8 Hiroshi Kiyotake 73 63MF 15Yasuyuki Konno 90+2 63MF 14Yoshinori Muto 89Manager:MEX Javier Aguirre Man of the Match: Keisuke Honda (Japan)Japan were never in danger, insists Aguirre https://sports.yahoo.com/news/japan-were-never-danger-insists-aguirre-132526222--sow.html Yahoo! Sports Agence France-Presse 16 January 2015 16 January 2015 24 October 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181024152835/https://sports.yahoo.com/news/japan-were-never-danger-insists-aguirre-132526222--sow.html dead Assistant referees: Reza Sokhandan (Iran) Mohammad Reza Abolfazli (Iran) Fourth official: Hettikamkanamge Perera (Sri Lanka) Fifth official: Palitha Hemathunga (Sri Lanka) Japan vs Jordan Keisuke Honda scored for the third consecutive game as defending champions Japan finally confirmed their place in the quarter-finals of the tournament as 2–0 win over a brave Jordan completed a 100% record in Group D. The four-time winners only needed a point in front of a 25,000 crowd at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium having earlier beaten Palestine and Iraq, but Honda's 24th-minute strike and a late second from Shinji Kagawa saw Javier Aguirre's side claim the win; meanwhile this meant for the first time ever in Jordan's Asian Cup participation, they'd failed to qualify into the knockout stage; and also for the first time in Asian Cup history, Jordan lost to Japan, having drawn Japan twice in 2004 and 2011. Having ended Jordan's hopes of an appearance in the last eight as Iraq claimed second place in Group D after beating Palestine in Canberra, Japan would face Group C runners-up the United Arab Emirates in Sydney on 23 January for a place in the semi-finals. Japan coach Aguirre named the same side for a third consecutive game with the defending champions only needing a point to qualify for the quarter-finals as Group D winners, while opposite number Ray Wilkins made one change with Anas Bani Yaseen returning from suspension to replace Saeed Murjan and with Jordan needing to at least avoid defeat to keep their quarter-final hopes alive, Ray Wilkins' side showed their intentions, lining up in an attacking 4-3-3 formation and pressing Japan from the first whistle.https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/asian-cup-hondapowered-japan-cruise-past-jordan-into-quarterfinals-20150120-12uhtk.html Asian Cup: Honda-powered Japan cruise past Jordan into quarter-finals Michael Lynch 20 January 2015 The Sydney Morning Herald 25 October 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20150925004037/http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/asian-cup-hondapowered-japan-cruise-past-jordan-into-quarterfinals-20150120-12uhtk.html 25 September 2015 live Jordan's plans, though, were almost dealt a huge blow after just 10 minutes as Takashi Inui smashed home Kagawa's pull-back only for the assistant referee's flag on the near side to rule the ball had crossed the line prior to the delivery from the Borussia Dortmund midfielder. But Japan eventually took the lead midway through the first half as Jordan goalkeeper Amer Shafi could only parry Shinji Okazaki's angled strike from Inui's clever pass across goal and Honda was on hand to net from a tight angle. Shafi, though, denied the defending champions a second five minutes later as the Jordan goalkeeper showed superb reflexes to push Masato Morishige's point-blank header from Honda's vicious corner over the crossbar as Japan continued to control the game and restrict their opponents to rare forays forward. Needing to at least avoid defeat, striker Ahmad Hayel and midfielder Munther Abu Amarah were introduced at half-time for Jordan, and the move paid off as Wilkins' side started the second 45 minutes with added vigor after Japan had enjoyed nearly 75 percent possession in the first half.https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2015/01/19/japan-jordan-iraq-all-bidding-to-advance-from-group-d/21982061/ Japan, Jordan, Iraq all bidding to advance from Group D USA Today 25 October 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20150120150126/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2015/01/19/japan-jordan-iraq-all-bidding-to-advance-from-group-d/21982061/ 20 January 2015 live Japan, though, still remained the more likely to add to their lead and Shafi had to be on his toes to push away Honda's strike from just outside the area with 19 minutes remaining, with Jordan beginning to tire as the half progressed having valiantly tried to keep up with their opponents' superior passing and movement. The Japanese made sure of the three points with eight minutes remaining when a cross from substitute Yoshinori Muto found the onrushing Kagawa close to the penalty spot and Shafi was only able to help the first-time strike into the back of the net. Japan came close to adding a third in the first minute of stoppage time, but Honda was unfortunate to see his low drilled strike from inside the area crash into the post with Shafi rooted to the spot.http://www.goal.com/en/match/japan-vs-jordan/1466408/preview Japan-Jordan Preview: Yoshida wants improved officiating 25 October 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20170801225549/http://www.goal.com/en/match/japan-vs-jordan/1466408/preview 1 August 2017 livehttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-20/japan-ease-past-jordan-2-0-to-secure-top-spot-in-group-d/6029700 Japan eases past Jordan 2-0 to secure top spot in Group D 20 January 2015 25 October 2026 Australian Broadcasting Corporation https://web.archive.org/web/20230513013345/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-20/japan-ease-past-jordan-2-0-to-secure-top-spot-in-group-d/6029700 13 May 2023 live 20 January 2015 20:00 AEDT (UTC+11) JPN 2–0 Report JOR Honda 24 Kagawa 82 Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne 25,016 Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan) _JFA_14h _JFA_14h _JFA_14h _JFA_14h _JFA_14h FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF Japan _jomasupernova2wr _jomasupernova2rw _jomasupernova2rw _joma19wr FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF Jordan GK 1 Eiji KawashimaRB 21Gōtoku SakaiCB 22Maya YoshidaCB 6 Masato MorishigeLB 5 Yuto NagatomoDM 17Makoto Hasebe (c)RM 4 Keisuke HondaCM 7 Yasuhito Endō 86CM 10Shinji KagawaLM 18Takashi Inui 48  49CF 9 Shinji Okazaki 46  78Substitutions:MF 8 Hiroshi Kiyotake 49MF 14Yoshinori Muto 78MF 20Gaku Shibasaki 86Manager:MEX Javier Aguirre300px GK 1 Amer Shafi (c)RB 11Oday ZahranCB 3 Tareq KhattabCB 19Anas Bani YaseenLB 21Mohammad Al-DmeiriDM 5 Mohammad Mustafa 11RM 23Yousef Al-Rawashdeh 38 46LM 18Ahmed EliasAM 8 Odai Al-SaifyCF 20Hamza Al-Dardour 73CF 14Abdallah Deeb 46Substitutions:FW 10Ahmad Hayel 46MF 16Munther Abu Amarah 46MF 13Khalil Bani Attiah 73Manager:ENG Ray Wilkins Man of the Match: Shinji Kagawa (Japan)Japan, Iraq advance to Asian Cup quarter-finals http://www.nbcsports.com/japan-iraq-advance-asian-cup-quarterfinals NBC Sports Associated Press 20 January 2015 20 January 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150122091905/http://www.nbcsports.com/japan-iraq-advance-asian-cup-quarterfinals 22 January 2015 Assistant referees: Abdukhamidullo Rasulov (Uzbekistan) Bakhadyr Kochkarov (Kyrgyzstan) Fourth official: Ammar Al-Jeneibi (United Arab Emirates) Fifth official: Palitha Hemathunga (Sri Lanka) Iraq vs Palestine Goals from Younis Mahmoud and Ahmed Yasin led Iraq into the quarter-finals and a meeting with arch-rivals Iran, after a 2–0 victory against Palestine at Canberra Stadium. Mahmoud's first goal in the tournament Down Under came on 48 minutes and was his seventh in AFC Asian Cup competitions, meaning he has now scored in four consecutive continental championships since he first appeared at the 2004 edition. Mahmoud's could have had a second just before the hour mark, too, but Palestine's back-up goalkeeper Tawfiq Ali, who put on an impressive show throughout in the absence of the injured Ramzi Saleh, saved the forward's spot-kick.https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/iraq-to-play-iran-in-asian-cup-quarterfinal-after-win-over-palestine-20150120-12u859.html Iraq to play Iran in Asian Cup quarter-final after win over Palestine David Polkinghorne 20 January 2015 The Sydney Morning Herald 25 October 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20170531071819/http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/iraq-to-play-iran-in-asian-cup-quarterfinal-after-win-over-palestine-20150120-12u859.html 31 May 2017 live But two minutes before the end midfielder Yasin, making his first start of the tournament, sealed the points and the victory for Iraq. The win means Iraq finish second in Group D, behind defending champions Japan who topped Jordan 2–0 in the day's other game, and Radhi Shenaishil and his team would remain in Canberra for their last-eight showdown with Group C winners Iran on 23 January. Handed his first start of the tournament, Justin Meram went close to justifying his coach's decision after just three minutes as he jinked inside following a long throw on the left and into the area but he was closed down quickly and his shot stuttered into the hands of goalkeeper Ali. Palestine themselves could have taken a shock lead on 20 minutes as Jalal Hasan made a hash of Ashraf Nu'man's corner but the ball was cleared just before Abdelatif Bahdari could pounce on the loose ball.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/iraq-2-palestine-0-captain-mahmoud-helps-makes-sure-qualification Iraq 2 Palestine 0: Captain Mahmoud helps makes sure of qualification 21 January 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150121114321/http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/iraq-2-palestine-0-captain-mahmoud-helps-makes-sure-qualification 21 January 2015 dead While Iraq dominated the first period, they found Ali showing no signs of nerves in his first start and in confident form. The 24-year-old goalkeeper saved a swerving long-range effort from Waleed Salem 20 minutes into the contest before diving low to his right to block Mahmoud's header five minutes before the interval. And Iraq's profligacy continued in just the second minute of the restart as Mahmoud blazed wide when the influential Yasin's pull-back found him inside the penalty area. But the striker's woes in front of goal would last only another minute. From half-time substitute Ali Adnan's corner, Mahmoud's rose highest to direct a firm header past Ali. Almost immediately after that setback, Palestine then had their best chance of the night as a poor pass from Salam Shaker fell into the pass of the alert Nu’man but Hasan pulled off an impressive save with his feet to block the goal-bound effort.https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/the-lowdown--asian-cup-iraq-v-palestine-20150119-12teoz.html The Lowdown - Asian Cup: Iraq v Palestine Sebastian Hassett 19 January 2015 The Sydney Morning Herald 25 October 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20150925005847/http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/the-lowdown--asian-cup-iraq-v-palestine-20150119-12teoz.html 25 September 2015 live The game began to open up as both teams looked for goals before Ahmed Harbi brought down Meram inside the area for a penalty to Iraq just before the hour-mark. Mahmoud stepped up, looking for his second of the night, but Ali continued his impressive performance by diving the right way, low to his left, and parried the ball away. Iraq continued to hammer away at the Palestine defence and eventually a second goal came their way in the game's dying minutes as Yasin scored the goal his fine performance warranted with a powerful low strike from the edge of the area that zipped into the back of the net and Adnan could have made it three late on with an effort that hit the upright, but the points were safe as the final whistle blew shortly after to the delight of the large contingent of Iraqi fans.http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2015/01/19/8088252/iraq-and-palestine-leave-troubles-at-home-and-flourish-at Iraq and Palestine leave troubles at home and flourish at Asian Cup 25 October 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924170109/http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2015/01/19/8088252/iraq-and-palestine-leave-troubles-at-home-and-flourish-at 24 September 2015 livehttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-20/iraq-into-asian-cup-quarter-finals-after-2-0-win-over-palestine/6029728 Iraq into Asian Cup quarter-finals after 2-0 win over Palestine 20 January 2015 25 October 2026 Australian Broadcasting Corporation https://web.archive.org/web/20250225162040/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-20/iraq-into-asian-cup-quarter-finals-after-2-0-win-over-palestine/6029728 25 February 2025 live 20 January 2015 20:00 AEDT (UTC+11) IRQ 2–0 Report PLE Mahmoud 48 Yasin 88 Canberra Stadium, Canberra 10,235 Mohammed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed (United Arab Emirates) _iraq15h _iraq15h _iraq15h _iraq15h _iraq15h FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF Iraq_palestina15h _palestina15h _palestina15h _palestina15h FF0000 FF0000 FF0000 FF0000 FF0000 Palestine GK 12Jalal HasanRB 23Waleed SalemCB 2 Ahmad IbrahimCB 14Salam ShakerLB 15Dhurgham IsmailCM 21Saad Abdul-AmirCM 5 Yaser KasimRW 7 Amjad Kalaf 46AM 8 Justin Meram 71LW 9 Ahmed YasinCF 10Younis Mahmoud (c) 79Substitutions:DF 6 Ali Adnan 46MF 13Osama Rashid 71FW 16Marwan Hussein 79Manager:Radhi Shenaishil300px GK 1 Tawfiq AliRB 4 Ahmed Harbi 59CB 9 Khaled SalemCB 15Abdelatif Bahdari (c)LB 14Abdullah JaberRM 10Ismail Al-Amour 67CM 20Khader YousefCM 8 Hesham Salhe 21LM 11Ahmed MaherSS 7 Ashraf Nu'manCF 16Mahmoud Eid 79Substitutions:MF 13Jaka Ihbeisheh 67MF 19Abdelhamid Abuhabib 79Manager:Ahmed Al Hassan Man of the Match: Saad Abdul-Amir (Iraq)Val Migliaccio Iraq coach bemoans lack of recovery time for Iraq quarter-final http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/asian-cup-2015-iraq-coach-bemoans-lack-of-recovery-time-for-iraq-quarterfinal/story-fnlpdory-1227191406495?nk=ffd59938d15abcb131ad60cb5da8bb77 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064153/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/asian-cup-2015-iraq-coach-bemoans-lack-of-recovery-time-for-iraq-quarterfinal/story-fnlpdory-1227191406495?nk=ffd59938d15abcb131ad60cb5da8bb77 dead 4 March 2016 The Australian 20 January 2015 20 January 2015 Assistant referees: Mohamed Al Hammadi (United Arab Emirates) Hasan Al Mahri (United Arab Emirates) Fourth official: Mohd Amirul Izwan (Malaysia) Fifth official: Mohd Yusri Muhamad (Malaysia) References 2 External links http://www.afcasiancup.com/ AFC Asian Cup (Official website) en AFC Asian Cup, the-AFC.com Group D Group Category:2015 in Japanese football Category:2014–15 in Jordanian football Category:2014–15 in Palestinian football