Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Brisbane: China coach Alain Perrin has promised to celebrate reaching the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 quarter-finals after his charges beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in Brisbane on Wednesday to seal a spot in the second round.
On a night of high drama, Qatar 2011 semi-finalists Uzbekistan drew first blood midway through the opening half thanks to Odil Ahmedov, but China turned the tables on Mirdjalal Kasimov's side after the break with goals from Wu Xi and substitute Sun Ke to grab the three points and advance to the knockout phase.
"When we go back to the team hotel, we will open two bottles of champagne," said Perrin.
"After our first win (against Saudi Arabia on Saturday), we celebrated just amongst the coaching staff but tonight, I want the players to join us.
"We played a beautiful match and now we move to the knockout phase. I thought we would have to play all three games before securing qualification but now we are through.
"The players were a little bit nervous today but we kept playing our style. They (Uzbekistan) had problems with stamina so we were able to find more space to work with in the second half."
Perrin's men had every right to be over the moon, coming from behind to trip up Qatar 2011 semi-finalists Uzbekistan to maintain a perfect record after their first two group games. China wrap up their first round campaign on Sunday against DPR Korea in Canberra.
"All the players were very excited in the dressing room, singing songs and high-fiving," said Wu Xi, whose 55th-minute equaliser galvanized the Chinese attack en route to the three points.
"Our interpreter was dancing on a table and fell into an ice bucket full of water. All his clothes were wet; he was very wet.
"The pressure is off us a bit now that we are through to the knockout stages. We can relax just a little for our next match."
A draw with DPR Korea will be good enough for China to win the group, regardless of the result of the group's other game between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia, who are level on points.
Australia and Korea Republic have both qualified from Group A and will square off for first place on Saturday in Brisbane.
"Whoever we play in the quarter-final will be very difficult," said Guangzhou Evergrande defender Zhang Linpeng. "Korea Republic have two defenders who play in the Chinese Super League and they know everything about our team.
"Australia will be very difficult as well. We know they are strong."
Photo: WSG