And then there were eight

Thu, 01 Feb, 2024

And then there were eight

Doha: Five former champions are among the eight teams through to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-finals following the conclusion of the Round of 16 on Wednesday.

Three-time winners Islamic Republic of Iran were the final side to check in, defeating Syria 5-3 on penalties after their tie ended 1-1 after 120 minutes at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.
 
Four-time champions Japan had booked their spot earlier on Wednesday, cruising 3-1 past Bahrain.

R16: Resilient IR Iran edge plucky Syria on penalties

Thu, 01 Feb, 2024

R16: Resilient IR Iran edge plucky Syria on penalties

Doha: Islamic Republic of Iran advanced to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-finals after overcoming Syria 5-3 on penalties at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium on Wednesday after the two teams played out a 1-1 draw at the end of extra time.

Goals from the spot from Mehdi Taremi and Omar Khrbin either side of the halftime break meant the two sides were level after 90 minutes and there was nothing to separate them after extra time before Alireza Beiranvand helped his side settle the tie on penalties.

R16: Japan cruise past Bahrain

Thu, 01 Feb, 2024

R16: Japan cruise past Bahrain

Doha: Four-time champions Japan moved into the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Wednesday as goals from Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo and Ayase Ueda earned the Samurai Blue a 3-1 win over Bahrain at Al Thumama Stadium.

Hajime Moriyasu’s side will meet either the Islamic Republic of Iran or Syria in the last eight on Saturday after a largely accomplished performance, with the victory coming despite a wobble midway through the second half when Ueda headed the ball into his own net.
 
Doan put the Japanese in front in the 31st minute and Kubo doubled the lead three minutes into the second half before a 64th minute mix-up between Ueda and Zion Suzuki allowed Bahrain to halve the deficit. Ueda struck eight minutes later to restore the two-goal cushion.

Self-belief the secret behind Jo’s heroics

Wed, 31 Jan, 2024

Self-belief the secret behind Jo’s heroics

Doha: Goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo said Korea Republic’s refusal to give up sealed them a place in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Trailing 1-0 to Saudi Arabia with the match in stoppage time, Cho Gue-sung drew Korea Republic level in the ninth minute with the tie eventually decided by penalties. 
 
Jo, who took over on Matchday Two of the group stage following a tournament-ending injury suffered by first choice keeper Kim Seung-gyu, was the hero in the shoot-out as he kept out Sami Al Naji and Abdulrahman Ghareeb's spot-kicks, with Hwang Hee-chan netting the deciding penalty for a 4-2 win at the  Education City Stadium.

Klinsmann: Korea Republic will be ready for Australia

Wed, 31 Jan, 2024

Klinsmann: Korea Republic will be ready for Australia

Al Rayyan: Jurgen Klinsmann believes Korea Republic’s penalty shoot-out win over Saudi Arabia will give his side a morale boost capable of overcoming any lingering fatigue ahead of their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-final meeting with Australia on Friday.

The Taeguk Warriors will have little more than two full days to recover for the clash with Graham Arnold’s side after needing 120 minutes, plus injury time, and spot-kicks to see off Roberto Mancini’s team at Education City Stadium on Tuesday.

Stubborness driving Fayzullaev's bid to excel

Wed, 31 Jan, 2024

Stubborness driving Fayzullaev's bid to excel

Doha: Abbosbek Fayzullaev did not hesitate to admit that it was his innately resilient nature and inability to accept defeat that drove him in Uzbekistan’s AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 tie against Thailand on Tuesday.

Having nudged ahead in the first half through Azizbek Turgunboev, Uzbekistan lost their lead just before the one-hour mark. Fayzullaev’s stunning goal from 25 yards, however, took them over the finishing line and into a quarter-final showdown with defending champions Qatar on Saturday.

Katanec proud of Uzbekistan's resilience

Wed, 31 Jan, 2024

Katanec proud of Uzbekistan's resilience

Al Wakrah: Srecko Katanec paid tribute to his players for overcoming obstacles on and off the pitch after Uzbekistan defeated Thailand to reach the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Illness ruled Otabek Shukurov out just before the tie at the Al Janoub Stadium, further crippling an Uzbekistan squad missing key players through injury but that didn’t stop the White Wolves from carving out a 2-1 win, thanks to goals from Azizbek Turg’unboyev and Abbosbek Fayzullaev with defending champions Qatar their quarter-final opponents on Saturday.

Equaliser before the break was crucial for Qatar, says Salman

Tue, 30 Jan, 2024

Equaliser before the break was crucial for Qatar, says Salman

Al Khor: Tarek Salman said Qatar’s equaliser just before half time was the turning point as the defending champions edged Palestine 2-1 to seal their place in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-finals on Monday.

The host nation survived a tough test from Palestine, who took the lead before succumbing to goals from Hassan Al-Haydos and Akram Afif either side of the break.

Al Rashdan commends Jordan’s indomitable spirit

Tue, 30 Jan, 2024

Al Rashdan commends Jordan’s indomitable spirit

Doha: Match-winner Nizar Al Rashdan lauded Jordan's unbreakable spirit after they came from behind to edge Iraq 3-2 to snatch a berth in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-finals on Monday.

The midfielder unleashed a spectacular curling shot from outside the box in the seventh minute of added time, the second of two goals Jordan scored after the completion of regulation time, to set up a clash with Tajikistan on Friday.