Defending AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar are still alive after outlasting their feisty opponents in the Round of 16, while fellow favourites Japan and South Korea have also made it, albeit under different circumstances.
Joining them are Australia, Tajikistan, Jordan, Uzbekistan, and Iran, and SBOTOP football fans shouldn’t overlook these tough teams at all here in the elite eight.
Tajikistan vs Jordan
Tajikistan have something to write home about as they’re into the elite eight in their AFC Asian Cup debut. After finishing second behind Qatar in Group A, the Persian Lions pulled off a massive upset by beating the UAE, who are 40 places above them in the FIFA men’s rankings, on penalties on Monday.
Petar Segrt’s men actually struck first, as Vakhdat Khanonov put the Tajiks into the driving seat during the half-hour mark with his header following a cross. At the time, they were about to park the bus, but the UAE had other plans.
Khalifa Al Hammadi scored the equaliser for the UAE during stoppage time to force a penalty shootout. But in the end, Tajikistan were not to be denied because they scored all five penalties compared to only three by the UAE.
Now they’re up against Jordan, who endured a tougher road to the quarter-finals. Jordan were into the Round of 16 despite placing third in Group E, and they made it count by defeating Iraq 3-2.
Jordan took advantage of Aymen Hussein’s red card in the 77th minute by going on an offencive late in the game that paid off.
Down 2-1, Yazan Al-Arab and Nizar Al-Rashdan completed the remarkable comeback with their goals during stoppage time, although teammate Hamza Al-Dardour was also sent off at the time.
The Chivalrous Ones can put an end to Tajikistan’s dream run, but they will earn it the hard way.
Australia vs South Korea
Jurgen Klinsmann’s coaching chops are going to be tested once again as South Korea take on Australia tomorrow. South Korea are fresh from a dramatic win over Saudi Arabia in a game that almost slipped out of their hands.
Saudi Arabia were ahead in the 46th minute when Abdullah Radif scored, and they even almost made it 2-0. The Saudi defence held firm up until Cho Gue-Sung converted his header during added time to draw level for South Korea, and the Taeguk Warriors won the penalty shootout 4-2.
In contrast, Australia pummeled Indonesia 4-0 in the Round of 16. Elkan Baggott’s own goal opened the scoring for the Socceroos, which was followed up by goals from Martin Boyle, Craig Goodwin, and Harry Souttar.
The AFC Asian Cup 2024 odds have Australia as the favourites to beat South Korea because they’ve only lost once in the last 23 years that they’ve met a meaningful game.
Qatar vs Uzbekistan
Qatar were almost on the receiving end of an epic upset when they were down by one goal against Palestine, courtesy of Oday Dabbagh’s 37th-minute goal.
However, team captain Hassan Al-Haydos came up clutch once again by scoring the equaliser right before halftime, and top scorer Akram Afif converted a penalty four minutes into the second half after Almoez Ali was brought down by Palestine centre-back Mohammed Saleh.
Palestine had a few chances to draw level, but to no avail. And now up next for Qatar are Uzbekistan, who defeated Thailand 2-1 on Tuesday.
Qatar’s backline will have their hands full with Uzbekistan’s Abbosbek Fayzullaev and Azizbek Turgunboev, who scored the goals against the Thais and have two goals apiece in this competition.
Iran vs Japan
In other AFC Asian Cup 2024 results, Japan breezed past Bahrain 3-1, so they’ll face Iran, who escaped Syria via penalties, in the Round of 16.
The Samurai Blue took a 2-0 lead when Ritsu Doan scored off a rebound from Seiya Maikuma’s miss in the 31st minute, and Takefusa Kubo added the second when he was left unmarked inside the box 18 minutes later.
After recording an own goal in the 64th minute, Ayase Ueda made amends by scoring from a tight angle during the 72nd minute.
Iran managed to score the first goal against Syria when Mehdi Taremi converted a spot-kick four minutes after the half-hour mark, but Omar Khribin also made his for Syria 30 minutes later. Team Melli looked like they were on the brink of collapse when Taremi was sent off for a second yellow card in added time, but they held on and won the succeeding penalty shootout to extend Amir Ghalenoei’s undefeated streak to 15 matches since taking over the coaching helm last year.
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