Asian Cup 2015: China surge into quarter-finals after beating Uzbekistan in Brisbane
CHINA have reached the knockout stages of the Asian Cup for the first time since 2004, securing a quarter-final berth with a 2-1 win over Uzbekistan.
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HAVING qualified for the Asian Cup knockout stages for the first time since 2004, China want to avoid a quarter-final meeting with host nation Australia.
China secured a berth in the last eight with a 2-1 win over Uzbekistan at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
The victory not only guaranteed China a quarter-final spot, it secured them top place in Group B.
With group positions being determined by head-to-head results ahead of goal difference should teams finish on the same points, China cannot be dislodged from first place by Uzbekistan or Saudi Arabia – both on three points - even if they lose to North Korea on Sunday in Canberra.
It means China will play their quarter-final at Suncorp Stadium next Thursday against the second-ranked Group A, which will be determined on Saturday night when Australia meet South Korea, also in Brisbane.
The Socceroos only need a draw to top Group A, with the South Koreans requiring a victory to finish first in the pool.
China coach Alain Perrin will be cheering for the Socceroos this weekend, admitting he would prefer for his side to meet South Korea for a spot in the semi-finals.
“They (Australia) were very impressive in the first two games so we’ll see, but I think it’s better that we don’t play against Australia,” Perrin said.
“But we are in quarter-final and it’s good for us … but we need to continue to improve our level because in the quarter-final we have to play better.”
Urged on by the majority of the vocal crowd of more than 13,000, China last night fought back from a goal down to beat Uzbekistan, who led 1-0 at half-time thanks to a 22nd minute Odil Akhmedov goal.
However, the Uzbeks faded in the Brisbane humidity in the second half, with China in experienced similarly draining conditions when they beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 at the same venue last Saturday night.
China equalised 10 minutes after the break through Wu Xi, who produced a sweet finish after some great work from Wu Lei and Gao Lin to keep the ball alive after Uzbekistan goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov made a complete mess of his attempt to deal with a cross from Jiang Zhipeng.
It was one-way traffic after that, with the Chinese team dominating for the remainder of the contest.
They got their deserved the winner in the 67th minute through substitute Sun Ke, who unleashed with a curling long distance effort that was too good for Nesterov.
Uzbekistan coach Mirdjalal Kasimov praised China for their superior second-half performance.
“In the first half we were better but when we conceded the first goal, China became so strong and changed the game,” Kasimov said.
Second place in Group B will be decided on Sunday when the Uzbeks meet Saudi Arabia in Melbourne.
Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: China surge into quarter-finals after beating Uzbekistan in Brisbane
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