#eAsian Cup: What they said

Sat, 03 Feb, 2024

#eAsian Cup: What they said

Doha: The cast for the AFC eAsian Cup 2023 Round of 16 was confirmed after the conclusion of the group stage matches on Friday.

Mirroring the format of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, teams who finished in the first and second positions in each group qualified to the knockout stage and were accompanied by the four best third-placed finishers.
 
As the 16 teams vie for a place in history, the-AFC.com caught up with some of the stars of the event to get their impression of the first-ever esports event hosted by the Asian Football Confederation.

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Son: My focus was only on helping Korea Republic win, not avenge 2015 defeat

Sat, 03 Feb, 2024

Son: My focus was only on helping Korea Republic win, not avenge 2015 defeat

Al Wakrah: Son Heung-min insisted his determination to defeat Australia was motivated by the desire to keep Korea Republic’s hopes of lifting the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ alive and not to avenge the Taeguk Warriors’ heart-breaking loss to the Socceroos in the 2015 final.

The Tottenham Hotspur forward was instrumental in Jurgen Klinsmann’s side advancing to a last four meeting with Jordan, winning the penalty that allowed Hwang Hee-chan to score an injury time equaliser before hitting a sweetly-struck free-kick in extra-time that sealed the 2-1 victory.
 
The win came almost nine years to the day since Korea Republic lost to the Australians in the 2015 final in Sydney, when Son scored in injury time to take that game into an additional 30 minutes only for James Troisi to hit the winner as Ange Postecoglou’s side were crowned champions.

Klinsmann amazed yet puzzled by Korea Republic

Sat, 03 Feb, 2024

Klinsmann amazed yet puzzled by Korea Republic

Al Wakrah: Jurgen Klinsmann hailed Korea Republic’s never-say-die attitude after the Taeguk Warriors booked their place in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ semi-finals, but questioned the need for his team to win the hard way after going into extra-time for the second game in a row.

The Koreans edged Australia 2-1 at Al Janoub Stadium on Friday with Son Heung-min’s free-kick taking Klinsmann’s side into a last four meeting with Jordan on Tuesday after Hwang Hee-chan’s injury time penalty had cancelled out Craig Goodwin’s first half volley.
 
Victory came 72 hours after a similar success against Saudi Arabia in the last 16, when the Koreans emerged as winners in a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw at the end of extra-time, and the nature of his team’s progress has left Klinsmann captivated.

Son stars as Korea Republic stay on track

Sat, 03 Feb, 2024

Son stars as Korea Republic stay on track

Al Wakrah: Son Heung-min played a captain's role as Korea Republic moved within two matches of a third title after a pulsating 2-1 win over Australia in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-final on Friday.

Champions in 1956 and 1960, Korea Republic had to dig deep to see off the challenge of 2015 winners Australia.
 
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at some interesting facts and figures from the epic last eight showdown. 

Upsets, thrilling comebacks mark end of group stage

Sat, 03 Feb, 2024

Upsets, thrilling comebacks mark end of group stage

Doha: The group stage action of the inaugural AFC eAsian Cup concluded on Friday with 16 teams booking their places in the knockout stage.

The second day of the tournament was marked by intense clashes as numerous teams relied on their final group stage matches to secure a spot in the Round of 16.
 
While Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Uzbekistan had already booked their slots with stellar performances on Thursday, the second day brought unexpected twists, leading to the elimination of Malaysia, Oman and Kyrgyz Republic.