An exciting set of quarter-finals at the Asian Cup did not disappoint, as the brackets featured some teams looking to reach the semi-finals for the first time ever as well as some of the favourites coming up against each other earlier than expected. After four very tightly contested and dramatic matches, we are now down to four contenders.
By Neel Shelat
🇹🇯 Tajikistan 0-1 Jordan 🇯🇴
The quarter-finals began with a historic clash as debutantes Tajikistan took on Jordan, who were also looking to reach the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time in their nation’s history.
The match itself was far from a classic as both sides were very cautious about overcommitting and getting caught out on such a big occasion. Jordan just about looked the better team in the first half as they were able to better control proceedings both with and without the ball, so their eventual opener was not undeserved.
Vahdat Hanonov was the man who scored Tajikistan’s only goal in their Round of 16 clash against the UAE, and he broke the deadlock this time too. Unfortunately, the ball ended up in his own net on this occasion as a glanced header from a corner deflected off his shoulder and beat the keeper. The Persian Lions then had to take the initiative to find an equaliser, but they failed to create any noteworthy chances as both their starting strikers went off.
Nevertheless, Petar Šegrt’s men should be immensely proud of what has been the most incredible major tournament debut in recent memory. Tajikistan might not have won the whole thing, but they have surely won the hearts and support of so many fans in Qatar, back home, and around the world.
🇦🇺 Australia 1-2 South Korea 🇰🇷
Australia had looked unconvincing all tournament leading up to their massive quarter-final tie against South Korea, but this was exactly the sort of match where they could come into their own.
As we outlined in our tournament preview, the Socceroos’ playing style under Graham Arnold is very suited to absorbing pressure and counter-attacking against strong teams but can struggle a touch when it comes to breaking down the low block put out by weaker opponents. Since they had not faced a side of South Korea’s calibre so far, it was unsurprising to see them not look as good as they did at the World Cup.
For their part, Jürgen Klinsmann’s men were not at their best either. The German coach was largely at fault for that, as he chopped and changed formations in the Round of 16 against Saudi Arabia. For this match, they reverted to their tried and tested 4-2-3-1 system.
For over 90 minutes, the match went exactly as Australia would have wanted. They defended with great solidity in their compact 4-4-2 block and troubled the Korean defence on the break, taking the lead in the 42nd minute through Craig Goodwin. They squandered some great chances to add a cushion in the second half but never looked too threatened in their box as they dealt with crosses superbly, but then it all unravelled right at the end.
Graham Arnold decided to switch to a 5-4-1 formation to see out the win and took off some defenders to add fresh legs at the back, but that only allowed South Korea to turn up the pressure. Deep into stoppage time, Son Heung-min entered the box and drew a foul from substitute Lewis Miller, enabling Hwang Hee-chan to score the Taegeuk Warriors’ second last-gasp equaliser in as many games.
With momentum on their side in extra-time and an excessive number of defensive players on the pitch for Australia, only one outcome seemed likely. Son’s pinpoint direct free-kick gave South Korea the lead just before the break, and a subsequent red card for Australia effectively sealed the result.
🇮🇷 Iran 2-1 Japan 🇯🇵
Pre-tournament favourites Japan had never really looked convincing in their four matches leading up to the quarter-final, so they knew that fellow World Cup participants Iran had the potential to cause some serious problems.
The Samurai Blue got off to a great start as they controlled the match both in and out of possession, although Iran’s defensive block proved quite solid too. It was ultimately unlocked just before the half-hour mark when Hidemasa Morita peeled off wide to pick up the ball, drove towards goal with a one-two, and just about squeezed his finish past Alireza Beiranvand.
Team Melli were without star striker Mehdi Taremi who was serving a suspension for the red card he picked up against Syria, so there was some concern about where their goals might come from. Led by a great all-round performance from Sardar Azmoun, their front four really came alive in the second period. Mohammad Mohebi slotted in the equaliser just 10 minutes in, and it was all Iran for the rest of the period.
Japan’s squad was widely considered to be the strongest going into the tournament, but this match highlighted their defensive weakness. Both of their centre-backs looked shaky when contesting duels, with Ko Itakura in particular having a day to forget. He capped off a very disappointing performance by conceding a penalty well into stoppage time, which Alireza Jahabaksh emphatically converted.
With that, Japan were sent packing from an Asian Cup which almost seemed theirs to lose before it even kicked off. It is now over a decade since their last title, so some introspection seems in order for the JFA once the dust has settled.
🇶🇦 Qatar 1-1 Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 (3-2 on pens)
Qatar had looked strong throughout the tournament as they had conceded just one goal in four games, but a lot of that could be put down to the fact that they had not played top-quality opposition.
Uzbekistan cannot quite be considered the cream of the crop in Asia still, but they certainly promised a much tougher test than anything the hosts had faced to this point. The White Wolves’ initial set-up seemed to show an acknowledgement of the fact that they were not the favourites here, but they defended quite well and posed a decent attacking threat.
Unfortunately, all of the underdogs’ hard work was undone when keeper Utkir Yusupov made a meal of a deflected cross and effectively turned it into his own net in his attempt to catch it. The Uzbeks then had to take the initiative in search of a goal, which they managed to do almost instantly as if with a flick of the switch.
It was all Uzbekistan in the second period as they outshot the hosts 10-1 and controlled play in all phases, but the crucial part of the brief was to create a decisive chance. It was rather presented to them in the end as a high turnover allowed Odiljon Khamrobekov to get a presentable shooting opportunity, which he converted clinically.
Qatar were back in the ascendancy late on and in extra time, but they could not score again to settle the match. So, a nerve-racking penalty shoot-out awaited all those who made the trip to the Al Bayt Stadium. Only half of the spot-kicks were converted, but it was Qatar who emerged victorious after Meshaal Barsham saved the last two Uzbek attempts to turn the scoreline around.
Looking ahead: Semi-finals
Jordan’s first-ever semi-final will see them come up against South Korea, who will be clear favourites. Having plucked victory from the jaws of defeat twice in the knockouts, the Taegeuk Warriors will feel that this is theirs for the taking, but the question will be whether they have enough gas left in their tanks for the semi-final having played over four hours’ worth of football in the week leading up to it.
The big one will definitely be Iran versus Qatar. After their dramatic wins over Syria and Japan, Team Melli will definitely feel that lady luck is on their side as they seek to reach the final for the first time since their 1976 triumph. Qatar’s home advantage will be contested by the strong Iranian contingent based in the country, but the Maroons must be determined to overcome any challenges to their title defence on home soil.
(Images from IMAGO)
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