Scandalous Ben Williams refereeing eliminates heroic 10-man Iran

Persianfootball.com – CANBERRA, Iran had everything under control until referee Ben Williams sent off Iran defender Mehrdad Pouladi for no reason in first half of the Asian Cup quarter final.

Williams had been heavily critisized by Iran boss Carlos Queiroz after not reacting to numerous health endangering fouls from Bahrain in Iran’s opener, for which the Portuguese was fined 3,000 USD.

The Australia referee showed another disgraceful performance in the Uzbekistan – Saudi Arabia group stage match where he strongly favour the Arab team and scandalously was appointed to lead Iran’s game vs. Iraq in quarters by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Iran took a first half lead when Sardar Azmoun headed home a great cross from Vouria Ghafouri, and apart from one conventration slip in defendin a setpiece right afterwards, Asia’s best defense look once more souvereign and didn’t allow Iraq any chances.

But a moment reminding of the ridiculous refereeing performances of Asian Cup semifinals 1996 and 2004, the already booked Mehrdad Pooladi received his marching orders for being pushed down by the Iraqi goalkeeper, with Ben Williams at first not even realizing it was Pooladi’s second.

Ironically, Iraq’s Younis Mahmoud didn’t even go into the referee’s book for repeated diving until late in extra time, while Iran’s defensive block were granted foul after foul without sanctions.

Iraq overtook control from then on and were able to equalize 11 minutes into second half, but looked unable to break down the Iranian defense once more, before the more and more tiring Iranian players finally allowed them to score the 2-1 through Younis Mahmoud early in extra time.

But Iran stood up to the challenge, and shooting-star Morteza Pouraliganji perfectly headed home an Andranik Teymourian corner in the 103rd minute.

But Williams wasn’t shocked for long, awarding a probably correct penalty call for Iraq in second interval of extra time to give the underdogs the lead back.

He then didn’t award Jalal Hosseini’s goal, despite the ball clearly crossing the line after coming off the crossbar, but had little chance but to allow Reza Ghoochannejhad’s 3-3 on the loose ball.

In penalty shootout, both Ehsan Hajsafi and Iraq’s first penalty taker missed, before six consecutive players of either side converted, but Iran’s seventh, Vahid Amiri, was denied by the inner side of the goalpost and therefore opening another disgraceful chapter of officiating in Asia.

Iran can return home with their heads held high, still unbeaten in regular time in Asian Cups since 1996, but once more found themselves on the receiving end of a referee and an amateurish confederation.