Q-finals: Five things to look out for

Fri, 02 Feb, 2024

Q-finals: Five things to look out for

Doha: Just eight teams remain in contention at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ after the quarter-final line-up was confirmed following the completion of the Round of 16 on Wednesday. 

Hosts Qatar continue their quest for back-to-back titles while four-time champions Japan are still in the hunt for a record-extending fifth continental crown and debutants Tajikistan’s dream run keeps on going. 
 
Ahead of the four last-eight ties on Friday and Saturday, the-AFC.com has selected five things to look out for.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/video/final_korea_republic_vs_australia-_afc_asian_cup_australia_2015.html

QF - Preview: Australia v Korea Republic

Fri, 02 Feb, 2024

QF - Preview: Australia v Korea Republic

Doha: Jurgen Klinsmann wants his players to embrace the challenge of facing Australia in the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Friday as Korea Republic look to move another step closer to reclaiming the continental title for the first time since 1960.

Klinsmann, a FIFA World Cup winner in 1990 during his playing days with Germany, is no stranger to featuring at the sharp end of major tournaments and the 59-year-old is hoping his squad can view such high pressure clashes with similar relish.

QF - Preview: Tajikistan v Jordan

Fri, 02 Feb, 2024

QF - Preview: Tajikistan v Jordan

Doha: Head coach Petar Segrt sees every win as a trophy for his Tajikistan side who face Jordan in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-finals at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Friday.

The Central Asian nation have been a revelation in the tournament, pipping China PR to second place in Group A to qualify to the knockout stages on their debut, then going on to defeat the United Arab Emirates on penalties to book a quarter-final date with Jordan.
 
Tajikistan looked set to win their Round of 16 tie in regular time after Vahdat Hanonov had put them in front, but an added-time equaliser from Khalifa Al Hammadi forced an additional 30 minute and penalties, and Segrt believes his team have already recovered from the herculean effort of that match and are raring to go again.

Duke: Australia will be up for the challenge

Thu, 01 Feb, 2024

Duke: Australia will be up for the challenge

Doha: Mitch Duke believes Australia are well-placed to advance to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ semi-finals at Korea Republic’s expense on Friday.

The tie at the Al Janoub Stadium promises to be a thrilling encounter with Duke saying the Socceroos will take full advantage of the extra days of rest.

Mental resilience key for Korea Republic, says Cho

Thu, 01 Feb, 2024

Mental resilience key for Korea Republic, says Cho

Doha: Cho Gue-sung believes mental strength will be key for Korea Republic against Australia when the two sides meet in the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ at the Al Janoub Stadium on Friday.

In their Round of 16 match against Saudi Arabia, Cho's last-minute equaliser forced extra time, with Korea Republic ultimately winning the penalty shoot-out 4-2 as they advanced to the quarter-finals for the seventh consecutive edition. 

Jordan's Al Arab eyeing historic semi-final

Thu, 01 Feb, 2024

Jordan's Al Arab eyeing historic semi-final

Al Rayyan: A place in the history books is the focus of Yazan Al Arab as Jordan attempt to make the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup™ for the first time when they meet Tajikistan at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Friday.

Two previous appearances in the quarter-finals ended in defeats against Japan (2004) and Uzbekistan (2011) respectively with Al Arab determined to help Jordan break through the barrier. 

Islomov: Tajikistan must contain dangerous trio

Thu, 01 Feb, 2024

Islomov: Tajikistan must contain dangerous trio

Al Rayyan: Tabrez Islomov has highlighted Jordan’s attacking trio of Mousa Al Tamari, Ali Olwan and Yazan Al Naimat as the threat Tajikistan must neutralise in their maiden AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-final at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Friday.

Islomov has prior knowledge of the trio as the teams played to a 1-1 draw in Group G of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ in November.

QF - Tajikistan v Jordan: Facts & Figures

Thu, 01 Feb, 2024

QF - Tajikistan v Jordan: Facts & Figures

Doha: Tajikistan and Jordan will both be chasing history when they meet in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ quarter-finals on Friday.

Debutants Tajikistan stunned United Arab Emirates on penalties in the Round of 16 while Jordan registered a thrilling 3-2 victory over Iraq to book their last eight spot, with both sides having never featured in the semi-finals of the continental showpiece.

R16 in Numbers

Thu, 01 Feb, 2024

R16 in Numbers

Doha: We are down to the final eight teams in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ after four days of action in the Round of 16 where matches were decided by the finest of margins as three of the eight ties went to penalties and another three were settled by a one-goal margin.  

Holders Qatar, four-time winners Japan and 2015 champions Australia all made statement wins in the last 16 while Tajikistan and Jordan took their fairytale runs into the quarter-finals, so join the-AFC.com as we review the Round of 16 by taking a closer look at some of the key facts and stats that caught the eye.

Joy and heartbreak

Thu, 01 Feb, 2024

Joy and heartbreak

Doha: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ is set for the quarter-finals following the conclusion of an enthralling Round of 16.

The eight matches were of the highest quality, producing shock results, joy and heartbreak.
 
Tajikistan continued their dream run while five former champions stayed on course for another title. Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at what it meant to the players. 

Social Wrap: Stunning results as Round of 16 concludes

Thu, 01 Feb, 2024

Social Wrap: Stunning results as Round of 16 concludes

Doha: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ has now reached the business end of the competition as only eight teams remain in search of continental glory.

The Round of 16 threw up some fascinating encounters and they didn’t disappoint with three of the eight matches going all the way to penalties as fans of Asian football were treated to some nail-biting action.
 
Jubilant celebrations, set-piece secrets and a vintage jersey all feature as the-AFC.com takes a look at the social media channels of those involved.