Asian Cup 2015: Saudi Arabia or Uzbekistan looming on Socceroos quarter-final horizon

AUSTRALIA is edging towards a quarter final showdown with either Saudi Arabia or Uzbekistan after results plunged the two in to a head-to-head battle.

Mohammed Al Sahlawi of Saudi Arabia (C) celebrates after scoring a goal with Naif Hazazi (L) and Abdulla Aldossary (R) during the Group B Asian Cup football match between North Korea and Saudi Arabia in Melbourne on January 14, 2015. AFP PHOTO / MAL FAIRCLOUGH -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE

AUSTRALIA is edging towards an Asian Cup quarter final showdown with either Saudi Arabia or Uzbekistan after Wednesday night’s results plunged the two teams in to a head-to-head battle for second spot in Group B.

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Saudi Arabia jumped to second in the group with their resounding 4-1 over North Korea at AAMI Park and will stay there with a draw or better against Uzbekistan at the same ground on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia are full of confidence and eyeing the final eight.

But it’s China who is certain to top Group B after their shock 2-1 win over the Uzbeks at Brisbane Stadium, meaning it will return to Brisbane to play a quarter final against Group A’s runner-up next Thursday.

The Socceroos are currently tied on six points with South Korea atop Group A, but are ahead on goal difference meaning even a draw against the Taeguk Warriors in Brisbane on Saturday night will be enough to see them finish on top.

Doing so would lock Ange Postecoglou’s men in to a quarter final with the Group B runner-up in Melbourne next Thursday.

And Saudi coach Cosmin Olaroiu is confident it will be his team that advances to the knockout stages after its stunning return to form.

“Yes of course, if we don’t have confidence what do we have? But it’s important now to pass this moment very quickly,” Olaroiu said.

“We passed the game against China (last Saturday) now we have to forget this victory and think about the Uzbekistan game.

China are top of Group B.

“It will be different. It is a different team, a different way of playing.

“We have to remain concentrated for the next game.”

Saudi Arabia has played Uzbekistan nine times, winning five and drawing another.

The Green Falcons will carry that positive record in to Sunday’s clash and also the knowledge it can improve further on Wednesday night’s commanding display.

“We played better (in the loss) against China,” Olaroiu said.

“Today we made mistakes, more than the game against China, but we score, we play good football, everyone enjoyed it and this is the most important thing.”

North Korea is now locked in to a fourth-placed finish.

Asked what he thought the reaction to the loss would be in his home land, coach Jo Tong-sop was evasive.

“I don’t think this is a question for just now, here, but nobody would be happy with our result,” he said.

“I feel our skills and levels not very high enough. We are in the way of developing it and it should be better, but we have to make it better as quick as possible to make better players in the future.”

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Saudi Arabia or Uzbekistan looming on Socceroos quarter-final horizon