What Asian Cup games can I watch today? Odds, schedule and predictions as Son Heung-min’s South Korea look to quarters
- Tournament top scorers Qatar face Iran for right to face winner of early game between favourites South Korea and Bahrain
Will we need a shoot-out to decide the remaining two spots left to complete the quarter-final line-up?
Those two teams will come from South Korea, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq and their fate will be decided on Tuesday.
It’s the favourites South Korea that are in action first, taking on a Bahrain side that are making only their second appearance at this stage after their fourth-place finish in 2004.
Son Heung-min’s South Korea won all three games in group C while Bahrain were the best of the third-place teams, missing out on second spot in group A on goal difference. Even still, progress was only secured with Jamal Rashid’s stoppage time penalty winner against India on match day three.
The Rashid Stadium in Dubai will be the setting for a game South Korea are expected to win comfortably despite injuries.
That explains the odds of $1.33 to win compared to Bahrain at $13. The draw over 90 minutes is priced at $5.20. South Korea are as low as $3.50 with some bookmakers to lift the trophy on February 1. Bahrain are the longest odds of the remaining times at $251 to win a first Asian Cup.
The winner of this game, however it is decided, takes on the winner of the game that follows.
Kick-off is at 9pm (Hong Kong time) and the action is live on Fox Sports 2 (channel 671).
Prediction: South Korea 2-0 Bahrain
Qatar and Iraq will know which team awaits them in the quarters when they take to the pitch at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi for the last of the round of 16 games.
Both sides are priced at $21 to win the tournament outright so not among the favourites but they have shown good form so far.
Tournament top scorers Qatar hit 10 goals in three group matches and are yet to concede. Seven of the goals have come from Almoez Ali, who has scored with every shot he has taken.
Teammate Akram Hassan Afif has created 10 chances and four of them were converted, making him joint assist provider with Chris Ikonomidis of the Socceroos.
Ali needs just one goal to match the great Ali Daei’s record of eight goals at the 1996 Asian Cup.
The semi-finalists of 2015 (and 2007 champions) stand in Qatar’s way of matching their best finish.
Iraq are also unbeaten in the UAE with two wins securing their passage to the round of 16 before a draw with neighbours Iran on match day three.
Mohanad Ali has belied his age with esteemed attacking performances from the 18-year-old, scoring against Vietnam and Yemen.
Qatar are the favourites, with Felix Sanchez’s side $2.30 to win compared to Iraq’s $3.60 and a draw inside 90 minutes at $3.20.
The final game of the round of 16 kicks off at 1am and can be seen live on Fox Sports 2 (channel 671).
Prediction: Qatar 2-1 Iraq
