What Asian Cup action can I watch today? Odds, preview, prediction, schedule, channel for Qatar v UAE semi-final

The remaining spot in the AFC Asian Cup 2019 final is up for grabs on Tuesday night when the hosts take on neighbours Qatar in Abu Dhabi.

It is an unexpected pairing, even more so considering the teams they beat in the quarter-finals: holders Australia and favourites South Korea.

But here they are and a chance for a historic final – Qatar have never been this far and the UAE only once when they reached the final in the 1996 tournament when they were hosts.

Waiting for the winner in the final is four-time champions Japan after they stunned favourites Iran 3-0 in the first semi-final on Monday night.

Qatar’s performance in the UAE is all the more remarkable given that they are not meant to be there.

The UAE is one of the Gulf nations to follow Saudi Arabia’s lead in cutting ties with Qatar over allegations that the 2022 World Cup hosts support terrorism, allegations Doha has consistently denied.

Just to get to the tournament the squad had to fly via Kuwait because of the air blockade on flights from Qatari airspace into the neighbouring UAE.

So we have the second “Blockade Derby” of this Asian Cup and the UAE side will hope to do what Saudi Arabia could not and beat Qatar.

Felix Sanchez’s side have won every game and in Almoez Ali they have the tournament’s leading scorer – the young striker only needs one more goal to match Ali Daei’s record of eight.

The UAE’s progress has been slightly less smooth but they are unbeaten and beat the holders after pouncing on a mistake.

These sides have not met for four years and that was in the last Asian Cup in Australia. The UAE won 4-1 on the way to a quarter-final loss to the hosts and eventual winners.

It will be a packed Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium after the Abu Dhabi Sports Council bought all the remaining tickets to hand out to “loyal” fans.

After reports that non-Emiratis and women were being turned away, authorities said tickets were open to all, but some have seen it as a move to block Qatari fans from cheering their team on.

Thousands of fans queued for hours to pick up their free tickets.

Qatar are ranked as Asia’s 13th best team while the hosts are the eighth best. Neither is meant to be here but they are one game from playing for the trophy.

HEAD TO HEAD

Fifa ranking: Qatar– 93, UAE – 79

AFC Ranking: Qatar– 13th, UAE – 8th

Asian Cup best: Qatar 5th (1984, 1988) UAE runners-up (1996)

Semi-final appearances (since 1996): Qatar– 0, UAE – 2 (1996,)

Previous meetings: Played 27 - Qatar wins 12, draws 6, UAE wins 9

Prediction: Qatar 2-1 UAE

Odds: Qatar win $1.91, draw $3.30, UAE $4.75

Where to watch: Fox Sports (channel 670) from midnight (Hong Kong time).