Asian Cup: quarter-final fixtures, preview, odds, predictions, head-to-head, schedule
- South Korea up first against Qatar, then hosts UAE take on Australia
- Here’s all you need to know about how to watch and who to pick
Iran and Japan booked their places in the AFC Asian Cup semi-finals on Thursday and we will find out who joins them in the other semi in the UAE on Friday.
The hosts are in the mix along with holders Australia, surprise package Qatar and favourites South Korea.
It is Son Heung-min’s side who are up first where they face Qatar and tournament top scorer Almoez Ali.
The 2022 World Cup hosts have brushed off the regional politics surrounding the tournament and have impressed in the UAE. Both sides are four-from-four but the run has to end in Dubai.
The Koreans reached the final in Australia last time out and will be expected to do so again as third favourites for the tournament – odds that have only changed now Japan and Iran are confirmed as semi-finalists.
While South Korea were tipped before the tournament and Paulo Bento’s side have delivered on that, Felix Sanchez Bas has worked wonders with a Qatari team that is on track to make an impression on home turf in three years.
There have been 10 matches between the sides and Qatar won the last meeting in June 2017. That World Cup qualifier ended 3-2 in Doha, but a repeat between two very different sides under two new managers would be the biggest shock of the tournament.
Head to Head
Asian Cup best: Qatar quarter-finals (2000, 2011) South Korea winners (1956,1960)
Quarter-final appearances (since 1996): Qatar – 2 (2000, 2004), South Korea – 6 (1996, 2000, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2015)
Previous meetings: Played 10 – Qatar wins 3, draws 2, South Korea wins 5
Prediction: Qatar 1-2 South Korea
Odds: Qatar win $4.65, draw $3.30, South Korea win $2
Where to watch: Fox Sports 2 (channel 671) from 9pm (Hong Kong time)
Australia are the holders and after an opening game shock to Jordan they have steadily improved as the tournament has gone on.
Despite injuries, Graham Arnold’s side have dug deep and qualified for the last 16 with a late rally against Syria before calling on Mathew Ryan to see them through a shoot-out against Uzbekistan.
It’s been a slightly easier ride for the hosts. A late penalty saved their blushes in the opening game against Bahrain before a win over India ensured a draw with Thailand took them through to the knockouts.
They needed another penalty to edge Kyrgyzstan 3-2 in the round of 16 to earn a meeting with the Socceroos.
Alberto Zaccheroni is the man who has given the hosts hope of matching their best Asian Cup performance in 1996. Also on home soil, the side reached the final to lose to Saudi Arabia on penalties.
Australia only played their first Asian Cup in 2007 and have finished runners-up and winners at the last two editions. This is a repeat of the semi-final of four years ago, a game which Australia won 2-0. Could it be that the home side have the advantage this time?
The bookmakers do not think so but this is the UAE’s best opportunity in years.
Head to Head
Asian Cup best: Australia winners (2015) UAE runners-up (1996)
Quarter-final appearances (since 1996): Australia – 3 (2007, 2011, 2015), UAE – 2 (1996, 2015)
Previous meetings: Played 24 – China wins 6, draws 4, Iran wins 14
Prediction: Australia 1-1 UAE (Australia win on penalties)
Odds: Australia win $1.91, draw $3.30, UAE $4.75
Where to watch: Fox Sports 2 (channel 671) from midnight (Hong Kong time).
