The Asian Cup quarterfinals pit regional giants in opposition to one another but additionally see underdogs tackle the holders.
The AFC Asian Cup has been a event is into the quarterfinal stage and the titans of the continent have made it comparatively unscathed up to now. They’re all about to be pitted in opposition to one another although.
Right here’s our run down of the event’s last-eight stage, which is ready to happen throughout Friday and Saturday:
1. Tajikistan vs Jordan: Friday, February 2 at 11:30 GMT
Two underrated groups face off within the first quarterfinal. Jordan scrambled to 3rd sport of their group after Bahrain beat them 1-0 within the remaining spherical of fixtures within the opening stage, after having overcome Malaysia of their first fixture with a powerful 4-0 win and drawing with South Korea of their second match. Jordan produced an unimaginable comeback, scoring twice in stoppage time to beat Iraq 3-2 in their round of 16 fixture.
Tajikistan beat Thailand 2-1 of their last-16 tie, having certified from the group stage for the primary time with a second-place end forward of China, with whom they drew their opening match, earlier than being crushed by Qatar, however overcoming Lebanon to safe their progress.
It’s not going to be simple to choose a winner on this one.
𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑-𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐒. 𝐋𝐄𝐓’𝐒 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐎!
4️⃣4️⃣ matches accomplished. The search in the direction of etching their names in historical past intensifies! 💪#AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/gl8q3ULLJc
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) February 1, 2024
2. Australia vs South Korea: Friday, February 2 at 15:30 GMT
One of many two stand-out ties of the quarterfinals pits one of many type groups in opposition to one of many favourites. Australia brushed apart their group with opening wins in opposition to India and Syria to make sure their progress earlier than a draw with Uzbekistan within the final sport. Their round-of-16 tie was one other dominant show as they beat Indonesia 4-0.
South Korea had been tightly tucked behind Japan as second-favourites for the competitors however had been made to work exhausting to succeed in this stage. A second-place end within the group pitted them against Saudi Arabia in the tie of the last round and the Koreans had been second finest for essentially the most half, requiring an injury-time header from Cho Gue-sung to take the sport to additional time after Abdullah Radif gave the Saudis a deserved lead simply after the break. It was a titanic tussle via to penalties which the Koreans can rely themselves fortunate to have come out on high of. How a lot the exploits may have taken out of their legs stays to be seen.
Will South Korea start to peak within the event on this sport?
Ayman Hussein 🇮🇶 nonetheless on the high ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽#AsianCup2023 #HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/9mr6w75aRS
— AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 (@Qatar2023en) January 31, 2024
3. Iran vs Japan: Saturday, February 2 at 11:30 GMT
The opposite assembly of Asian giants within the quarterfinals is a large battle of east and west. Iran are three-time winners of the Asian Cup, however have been extra famend for his or her efforts at World Cups in current a long time. Japan are the document winners with 5 trophies to their identify and are the favourites to increase that run.
A cushty 3-1 win in opposition to Bahrain within the final 16 has set Japan up nicely for this match. Nevertheless, they had been made to sweat considerably within the group by Iran’s neighbours Iraq, who downed the Japanese 2-1. An injury-time comfort purpose was registered by Waturo Endo after Aymen Hussein scored a first-half brace. Iran’s travails have been in reverse to that of their opponents after topping a comparatively easy group stage with a clear sweep whereas racking up seven targets. The Iranians had been then made to work all the way in which to penalties by a spirited Syrian facet. Iran may even be with out their main scorer, Mehdi Tarmei, who was despatched off for a second yellow card in that sport.
Will Workforce Melli have sufficient in them to see off the Blue Samurai?
#AsianCup2023 LAST 8!
🇦🇺🇹🇯🇯🇴🇶🇦🇺🇿🇰🇷🇯🇵🇮🇷#HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/qvpqo3nnkU
— AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 (@Qatar2023en) January 31, 2024
4. Qatar vs Uzbekistan: Saturday, February 3 at 15:30 GMT
The hosts and defending champions are robust favourites to progress to the semifinals on this tie. After an underwhelming World Cup on house soil two years in the past, Qatar have picked up the place they left off within the 2019 Asian Cup remaining victory in opposition to Japan. Akram Afif, who scored the third purpose from the spot in that match, has been irresistible at this event and appears to supply infinite choices in addition to an inspirational ignition to his facet’s endeavours.
Captain Hassan al-Haydos has additionally been on the core of all the things Qatar have accomplished and he and Afif are on their very own private journey to battle for the golden boat with both one or the opposite scoring in each sport up to now together with both finding the net to see off Palestine in the last round.
Uzbekistan beat Thailand 2-1 within the final 16 to proceed their very own unimaginable story and are unbeaten on the competitors up to now having drawn their remaining group stage match with Australia to safe the second spot forward of the spectacular Syria and the sleeping giants, who had been anticipated to awaken, India.
Will the underdogs dethrone the holders?
