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AFC Asian Cup 2019
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China fans at the Asian Cup. Photo: Reuters

Asian Cup: quarter-finals fixtures, preview, odds, predictions, head-to-head, schedule

  • Japan take on Vietnam before China face Iran in the last-eight
  • Here’s all you need to know about how to watch and who to pick

The AFC Asian Cup is down to eight teams from 24 but it’s not all familiar faces in the quarter-finals in the UAE.

Vietnam are making only their second appearance at this stage but Asian Cup royalty stand in the way of a first semi-final.

Japan are no strangers to the last eight – the four-time record winners of the continental crown have played at every quarter-final since it was introduced in the 1996 edition.

The Golden Dragons against the Samurai Blue takes place at Dubai’s Al Maktoum Stadium in the first of two games.

Vietnam have impressed and shown exactly why they won the AFF Suzuki Cup at the tail end of last year. The youngest team at the tournament will not remember the most recent meeting between the nations in October 2011, never mind the other meeting back in the 2007 Asian Cup.

Japan fans at the match against Oman. Photo: EPA

This golden generation carries the hopes of Vietnam and Southeast Asian football at a tournament long dominated by the continent’s East and West.

While Vietnam beat Jordan on penalties after coming through as fourth of the four best third-placed sides, Japan won three from three in the groups and have kept clean sheets in all four games including their 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the knockouts.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu was happy with his side’s defensive display in a game that Saudi Arabia controlled for large periods following Takehiro Tomiyasu’s 20th-minute header.

Vietnam showed spirit to come back from a disputed goal down to Jordan and take the game to extra time before winning on penalties, but they will need all that and more to beat one of the tournament favourites and reach the semis.

Vietnam fans before the match against Jordan. Photo: Reuters

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Asian Cup best: Japan winners (1992, 2000, 2004, 2011), Vietnam fourth place (1956,1960)

Quarter-final appearances (since 1996): Japan – 6 (1996, 2000, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2015), Vietnam – 1 (2011)

Previous meetings: Played two – Japan wins 2, Vietnam wins 0

Prediction: Japan 1-0 Vietnam

Odds: Japan win $1.37, draw $4.75, Vietnam win $11.50

Where to watch: Fox Sports 2 (channel 671) from 9pm (Hong Kong time)

China came from a goal down to beat Thailand. Photo: EPA

China have struggled in the first half of games, most notably in their opener against Kyrgyzstan and the round of 16 match against Thailand.

On both occasions Marcello Lippi’s substitutions have paid off and the team has pulled off a comeback.

Iran are unlikely to be as accommodating. The highest-ranked team at the tournament are among the favourites and are yet to concede in the UAE.

They came close in the round of 16 where goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand produced an early penalty save to prevent Oman from taking the lead but never looked back.

Iran fans at the Asian Cup. Photo: Reuters

Both China and Iran were through after the first two games, winning both, but while Iran played out a draw with neighbours Iraq, China lost their derby with South Korea.

They have not met since their World Cup qualifiers, Iran winning the last meeting 1-0 in March 2017 on their road to Russia.

Manager Carlos Queiroz might be playing it down but Iran are favourites to win again when they meet at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi for a place in the semi-finals.

China fans before the match against South Korea. Photo: AP

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Asian Cup best: Iran winners (1968, 1972, 1976), China runners-up (1984, 2004)

Quarter-final appearances (since 1996): China – 4 (1996, 2000, 2004, 2015), Iran – 6 (1996, 2000, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2015)

Previous meetings: Played 24 – China wins 6, draws 4, Iran wins 14

Prediction: Iran 2-0 China

Odds: China win $11, draw $4.40, Iran $1.40

Where to watch: Fox Sports 2 (channel 671) from midnight (Hong Kong time)

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