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Up for the Cup: Honda and Kagawa shine for Japan, Iraq too good for Palestine

KEISUKE Honda and Shinji Kagawa fire for Japan in front of 25,000 fans in Melbourne to extend the Asian Cup’s incredible run of no draws. Up for the Cup.

Huw Bonello
2 min read
January 20, 2015 - 6:54PM
Keisuke Honda (C) celebrates his penalty goal with teammates Shinji Okazaki (L) and Shinji Kagawa (R) of Japan kicks a penalty kick during the first round Asian Cup football match between Japan and Iraq at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on January 16, 2015. AFP PHOTO / PATRICK HAMILTON ---IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE---
Keisuke Honda (C) celebrates his penalty goal with teammates Shinji Okazaki (L) and Shinji Kagawa (R) of Japan kicks a penalty kick during the first round Asian Cup football match between Japan and Iraq at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on January 16, 2015. AFP PHOTO / PATRICK HAMILTON ---IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE---

KEISUKE Honda and Shinji Kagawa fire for Japan in front of 25,000 fans in Melbourne to extend the Asian Cup’s incredible run of no draws.

We’re Up for the Cup.

24 GAMES, 61 GOALS, 0 DRAWS

It’s an incredible statistic, but the Asian Cup just keeps producing results, Japan and Iraq extending the run with 2-0 victories on Tuesday night.

With just eight matches to play, who’s to say we won’t go through the entire tournament without witnessing a stalemate.

QUARTERFINAL LINE-UP

Thursday January 22, Korea Republic v Uzbekistan (Melbourne)

Thursday January 22, Australia v China (Brisbane)

Friday January 23 Iran v Iraq (Canberra)

Friday January 23, Japan v UAE (Sydney)

Fans of Japan show their colours before the Jordan clash.
Fans of Japan show their colours before the Jordan clash.

BLUE SAMURAI OUTCLASS JORDAN

RE-LIVE THE GAME - WITH VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS AND STATS - IN OUR ASIAN CUP MATCH CENTRE

JAPAN is through to a quarterfinal with the United Arab Emirates at ANZ Stadium on Friday after a routine 2-0 win over Jordan at AAMI Park last night.

The result means Jordan is out of the Asian Cup and Iraq, which defeated Palestine 2-0 in Canberra, will take on Iran in GIO Stadium in the last eight.

Javier Aguirre’s side was utterly dominant in general play and his players’ passing, touch and control was a joy to watch for the packed 25,231 crowd.

Japan’s Shinji Kagawa got his first goal of the Asian Cup in the 2-0 win.
Japan’s Shinji Kagawa got his first goal of the Asian Cup in the 2-0 win.

Perhaps the only disappointment was that their performance didn’t generate the amount of goals that it perhaps should have.

Keisuke Honda opened the scoring in the 24th minute, but it wasn’t until Shinji Kagawa fired home in the 82nd that the dose was doubled.

Still, it was another night to remember at AAMI Park as the heavily pro-Japanese crowd created a wonderful atmosphere that made everyone present feel like, for two hours at least, they were in Tokyo.

Jordan's Monther Abu Amara and Japan’s Keisuke Honda compete for the ball.
Jordan's Monther Abu Amara and Japan’s Keisuke Honda compete for the ball.

MELBOURNE’S TASTE OF TOKYO

Japan fans cheer their team on against Jofran in Melbourne.
Japan fans cheer their team on against Jofran in Melbourne.
Japan supporters show their love to No. 10 Shinji Kagawa.
Japan supporters show their love to No. 10 Shinji Kagawa.
Yasuhito Endo of Japan takes a corner kick against Jordan.
Yasuhito Endo of Japan takes a corner kick against Jordan.

BOZZA’S BEST

Former Socceroo Mark Bosnich has picked his best XI from the group stage. Agree with the Boz? Let us know in the comments at the bottom of the page.

IRAQ TOO GOOD FOR MINNOWS PALESTINE

RE-LIVE THE GAME – WITH VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS AND STATS – IN OUR ASIAN CUP MATCH CENTRE

IRAQ will meet its rival Iran in the quarterfinal of the Asian Cup after making hard work of dispatching Palestine 2-0 at Canberra Stadium on Tuesday night.

Younus Mahmood’s early second half goal and Ahmad Yasin’s 15m strike in the 89th minute secured the win after Iraq had eight shots on target in the final Group D clash.

Now Iraq has the added bonus of not having to travel given the knockout clash will be played in Canberra on Friday.

Palestine was resilient and despite leaving the tournament without a point proved to be a tough side to beat before bowing out of the Asian Cup.

Iraq celebrate after Ahmed Yaseen Gheni scored their second goal.
Iraq celebrate after Ahmed Yaseen Gheni scored their second goal.

BALLBOY BACK IN SPOTLIGHT

His penalty advice helped China beat Saudi Arabia in Team Dragon’s opening group game, but Aussie 12-year-old Stephen White admits he’s heart is torn as the Socceroos meet China in the quarterfinals.

“My heart says Australia to win, but my gut says China,” Stephen told The Courier-Mail.

China's Wang Dalei saved a penalty thanks to advice from ball boy Stephen White.
China's Wang Dalei saved a penalty thanks to advice from ball boy Stephen White.

SOCCEROOS WATCH

JEDINAK PASSED FIT, BEHICH v DAVIDSON

Great news for Australia, skipper Mile Jedinak has shrugged off that ankle injury and will play Japan.

Ange Postecoglou still has plenty of decisions to make at the selection table ahead of Thursday’s quarterfinal against China. Who does he play at left-back and who makes up the midfield alongside Massimo Luongo.

CHINA INSIDER OFFERS TIPS TO SOCCEROOS

Rostyn Griffiths is well versed to speak on Chinese football having played for Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F.

Now at Perth Glory, the midfielder says the Socceroos must pay close attention to Wu Lei and Gao Lin on Thursday.

BEST OF SOCIAL

Originally published as Up for the Cup: Honda and Kagawa shine for Japan, Iraq too good for Palestine

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/asian-cup/up-for-the-cup-honda-and-kagawa-shine-for-japan-iraq-too-good-for-palestine/news-story/063ab297120f1ddc7bbfdb2870768183