Asian Cup 2015: Australia, Japan, South Korea, Uzbekistan, UAE, Iran and Iraq contest quarterfinals

THE Asian Cup quarterfinals have served up some tasty clashes, with Japan, Iran and Australia looking to assert their dominance. Here’s a guide to the action.

Guide to the Asian Cup quarterfinals

THE Asian Cup quarterfinals have served up some tasty clashes, with Japan, Iran and Australia looking to assert their dominance.

Here’s a guide to the action.

Listen below for a comprehensive preview of the Socceroos’ clash with China from our Fox Football Podcast team.

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SOUTH KOREA v UZBEKISTAN, THURSDAY 22 JANUARY, 6:30PM (EDT), FOX SPORTS 505

Plot: This is about revenge. South Korea denied Uzbekistan a place at the 2014 World Cup by finishing ahead of them by just one goal on goal difference. That pain, Korea’s win over the Socceroos and the Uzbeks’ powerful finish to the group stage should make this an exciting battle.

Buoyant after topping Group A with a disciplined, technical display against the host nation, South Korea have confirmed their place among the favourites for the competition. And after winning all their group games 1-0, the Taeguk Warriors are almost as stingy upfront as they are at the back, which means the White Wolves will have to work extra hard to break them down.

Their defeat to China, as well as initial struggles with DPR Korea and Saudi Arabia, suggests the Uzbekis are not consistent enough to get past the more organised teams. The money’s on Korea – but with key players injured, is the Asian Cup about to throw up its first upset?

Match-up: The attacking midfielders on both sides will be key to the outcome of this game - Server Djeparov and Son Heung-min. The Uzbeki veteran hasn’t really shown his best at this tournament as yet, and his team will need his drive to break through, while Son’s display against the Socceroos showed how important he can be.

Tale of the tape:

South Korea: def Oman 1-0, def Kuwait 1-0, def Australia 1-0.

Uzbekistan: def North Korea 1-0, lost to China 1-2, def Saudi Arabia 3-1.

AUSTRALIA v CHINA, THURSDAY 22 JANUARY, 9:30PM (EDT), FOX SPORTS 505

Plot: It’s probably not the quarter-final Australia wanted but it might be the one they needed. After cruising past Kuwait and Oman, the Socceroos struggled to breakdown South Korea, a warning of how the better sides in this tournament will require more than just physicality and belief.

Ange Postecoglou’s squad does not have as much depth as he would like and the importance of key players was underlined in that final group game that should serve to focus the mind and strategy.

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China have grown into the Asian Cup, seeing off their Group B rivals with increasing confidence and quality, quite easily disposing of Uzbekistan and DPR Korea. With a hardworking, attacking and technical midfield and a very organised backline, it will be interesting to see how they fare against the Socceroos directness and pace on the flanks.

Match-up: The midfield again – Mile Jedinak’s drive will be crucial in halting the runs of Wu Xi and Sun Ke, while out wide the battle of the fullbacks Ivan Franjic and Jiang Zhipeng could also lead to some open space being exploited.

Tale of the tape:

Australia: def Kuwait 4-0, def Oman 4-0, loss Korea 0-1.

China: def Saudi Arabia 1-0, def Chin a 2-1, def DPR Korea 2-1

IRAN v IRAQ, FRIDAY 23 JANUARY, 5:30PM (EDT), FOX SPORTS 505

Plot: Iraq may be among the favourites for the Cup but with these two nations nothing can be discounted. This political history between Iran and Iran means this fixture will always carry weight, never mind a knockout international tournament.

The fact is Iraq still finished second in their group to a barely sweating Japan, while Iran made the most of their less-than-daunting rivals to finish top of Group C with three wins and no goals conceded.

That defence could make life difficult for an Iraq team that has struggled for goals so far – only managing two against minnows Palestine - although neither could really lay claim to being the tournament entertainers.

Match-up: It’s a battle of the strikers – Iran’s rising star Sardar Azmoun against Iraqi veteran Younis Mahmoud. With two teams struggling for goals, which one of these will define the quarter-final?

Tale of the tape

Iran: def Bahrain 2-0, def Qatar 1-0. Def UAE 1-0

Iraq: def Jordan 1-0, loss Japan 0-1, def Palestine 2-0

JAPAN v UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, FRIDAY 23 JANUARY, 8:30PM (EDT), FOX SPORTS 505

Plot: Japan have somewhat sauntered through the group stage in a manner that is either worrying for them or for everyone else. Have they just been taking it easy or are the Samurai Blue not quite the force we expected?

The big names have shown up and there have been some isolated moments of brilliance but without dominating the opposition in the manner we thought they would.

The UAE have impressed with their attacking football but defensive lapses suggest there is room for the Japanese to exploit. Neutrals will be hoping the UAE go for the throat with Omar Abdulrahman looking dangerous enough to threaten any team in this competition, and his individual brilliance could be the key to opening this game up.

Match-up: Japan defender Maya Yoshida’s task trying to contain Abdulrahman could be one of this game’s highlights. The Southampton defender has been one of the tournament’s standout stoppers so his battle with the mercurial attacker will be crucial.

Tale of the tape:

Japan: def Palestine 4-0, def Iraq 1-0, def Jordan 2-0

UAE: def Qatar 4-1, def Bahrain 2-1, loss Iran 1-0

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Australia, Japan, South Korea, Uzbekistan, UAE, Iran and Iraq contest quarterfinals