Asian Cup 2015: UAE beat Bahrain, Iran edge Qatar
A BRILLIANT goal from 20-year-old Sardar Azmoun put Iran into the next stage of the Asian Cup, while UAE stunned Bahrain in Canberra.
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WAS it the goal of the tournament so far?
Iran’s 20-year-old attacker Sardar Azmoun produced a delightfully instinctive turn-and-poke to score the only goal in Iran’s victory over Qatar.
It was yet another game to show what the Asian Cup 2015 has been all about. Attacking football and brilliant support in the stands, as Iranian supporters turn on the colour and the noise.
The result means a mouthwatering semi-final with the Socceroos is still a possibility.
MATCH REPORT: MOMENT OF MAGIC DOES THE JOB FOR IRAN
“It was a brilliant goal. It was a special movement of the centre-forward, a great turn at the level of some of the best centre-forwards I have worked with in my life,” Iran boss Carlos Queiroz said
RELIVE ALL THE ACTION IN THE MATCH CENTRE
EARLIER, Bahrain’s Asian Cup campaign looked all but over after just 19 seconds against UAE.
That’s how long it took for Ali Ahmed Mabkhout to punce on some sloppy, sleepy defending to give the United Arab Emirates the lead in Canberra.
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But the Asian Cup’s fastest goal didn’t stop Bahrain fighting back, with the big man upfront Jaycee John Okwunwanne equalising with a powerful header that he may or may not have known much about.
It was a lively affair in Canberra, with more comical defending and possession changing far too often.
UAE DREAM OF WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED
The decider came when Mohamed Hasan took his eye off the ball and sent a stronger header into his own goal.
The 2-1 win all but puts UAE into the Asian Cup quarter-finals, but means more misery for Bahrain.
RELIVE ALL THE ACTION IN THE MATCH CENTRE
SOCCEROOS WATCH
HERD OUT OF ASIAN CUP
Is Chris Herd the unluckiest Socceroo?
An achilles injury has ended the defender’s Asian Cup campaign, with Herd returning to his English club Aston Villa for further treatment on the injury which he suffered on Monday at training.
“It’s disappointing for the team and especially for Chris that he is unable to continue in the tournament,” Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou said.
“It has been determined it is in Chris’ best interests that he returns to Aston Villa for rehabilitation to ensure he can get back on the pitch.”
As per AFC regulations, Herd cannot be replaced in the Socceroos squad.
Liverpool interested in Ryan
Premier League giants Liverpool already have one Aussie goalkeeper on their books in Brad Jones — but rumours suggest they might have another one soon, with reported interest in Socceroos stopper Mat Ryan.
Currently playing in Belgium with FC Brugge, a stirring Asian Cup performance would surely do Ryan’s chances of a dream move to Anfield no harm at all. Even if he is playing it cool.
Kruse labels Brisbane surface ‘a disgrace’
IT’S meant to be the Titanic clash of the group, but Robbie Kruse has warned the Socceroos’ game with South Korea could be sabotaged by a “disgrace” of a pitch.
Socceroos may land Saudi Arabia or Uzbekistan
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.
NEWS WRAP
China awakens! Team Dragon into final eight
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.
Jordan star in ‘semi-coma’ after drugs test
JORDAN’S football governing body (JFA) claim that their star player Ahmed Hayel suffered a “semi-coma and hypothermia” after a botched drugs test.
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The game against Japan didn’t go as they’d hoped but Palestine can still be proud.
SATURDAY PREVIEWS
GROUP D
PALESTINE v JORDAN
6pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
TAB odds: Palestine $7.50, Draw $4, Jordan $1.45
THE PLOT
Already last chance saloon here for both sides after first-up losses. Jordan is heavily favoured to get the three points against the Asian Cup minnows and a comfortable win would at least put pressure on one of Iraq or Japan ahead of the final round of matches. For Palestine, this match presents the best opportunity it will have to get a result after its 4-0 loss to Japan in its opening game.
KEY PLAYERS
PALESTINE
If it weren’t for goalkeeper Ramzi Saleh then Palestine would have copped a lot more than four goals against Japan on Monday. Needs to be on top of his game again.
JORDAN
Tareq Khattab was a rock at the back against Iraq and will have even more responsibility tonight after the sending off of fellow centre back Anas Bani Yaseen on Monday ruled him out of the Palestine clash.
IRAQ v JAPAN
8pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
TAB odds: Iraq $10, Draw $5, Japan $1.28
THE PLOT
Japan has eased its way in to the tournament in every way, with an understated pre-tournament training camp, a friendly against local opposition in Northern NSW and an easy 4-0 tune up over Palestine on Monday. Now it gets serious though against 2007 champions Iraq, which will be high on confidence after a 1-0 win over Jordan.
KEY PLAYERS
IRAQ
Pacy winger Alaa Abdulzehra was extremely impressive on the left on Monday night and will look to provide Japan as many headaches tonight as he did against Jordan.
JAPAN
Japanese star Keisuke Honda was critical of the refereeing on Monday. If the attacking midfielder carries that anger in to tonight’s game it could spell danger for Iraq.
Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: UAE beat Bahrain, Iran edge Qatar
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