All kinds of analysis can be made, and the reasons can be counted including strategic miscalculation by influencing league schedule and not playing in almost 20 days, and tactical arrangement ( having 2 d mids may have worked out better)
But bottom line is gheyrat is not a constant winning factor. It happens once in awhile, but chances of professional approach winning is greater.
Some have alluded to the absence of main players. Trace why they were suspended in the first place: lack of professionalism
Even their cancelling domestic games was an absolute unprofessional mistake
3 Asian leagues, KSA, K league and J league have separated themselves in that regard and Qatar is approaching.
If it was just skills and gheyrat, we should see Uzbek- Iran finals every time around.