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Asian Cup 2011: China 2-2 Uzbekistan: China Go Home Early As Uzbeks Secure Quarter
China have crashed out of the 2011 Asian Cup at the group stages after a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan, while the latter have secured their spot in the quarter finals.
Gao Hongbo's young side were pipped to second spot by Qatar - who won 3-0 in their final match against Kuwait - while Uzbekistan topped Group A on seven points.
The Chinese made the perfect start when Yu Hai gave his team the lead after just seven minutes, flicking on a clever corner, a slight deflection off Odil Akhmedov leaving Ignatiy Nesterov powerless.
Only moments earlier however Maksim Shatskikh had missed a glorious opportunity to give Uzbekistan the lead, firing embarrassingly wide at the far post with the goal gaping.
An open and entertaining game of football was serving up action at both ends and Zhou Xuri rattled the crossbar with a wonderful swerving long-range effort on 21 minutes.
Deservedly the Uzbeks equalized on the half-hour mark though, as Server Djeparov played an intelligent one-two with Akhmedov, who delicatedly finished beyond the advancing goalkeeper.
Striker Gao Lin then drew what will be one of the saves of the tournament from Nesterov just six minutes later, heading owerfully towards goal from point-blank range, only to see the 'keeper somehow tip the ball over the crossbar.
Less than a minute into the second half and the game was turned on its head as Alexander Geynrikh produced a wonderstrike from range to give Vadim Abramov's men the lead.
China hit back again and equalized through Schalke player Hao Junmin, who scored a majestic free kick that dipped over the wall and underneath the crossbar with Nesterov at full stretch.
It was not enough though as Gao Lin missed a couple of guilt-edged opportunities from close range, China heading home early after a bright start to the tournament. |
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Pasukan Yang Telah Layak Ke Suku Akhir
1) Iran
2) Uzbekistan
3) Qatar |
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Keputusan perlawanan semalam
dan kedudukan Kumpulan B
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Japan 5 Saudi Arabia 0
Shinji Okazaki scored a hat-trick as Japan hammered Saudi Arabia at Al Rayyan Stadium to set up a quarter-final clash with Asian Cup hosts Qatar.
The Stuttgart striker scored twice in the first half before grabbing a late third while Ryoichi Maeda scored a brace to ensure Japan finished top of Group B.
Alberto Zaccheroni's side will tackle Qatar for a place in the semi-finals on Friday.
Japan needed at least a point to be assured of qualification for the last eight but they were clearly hungry for victory and they opened the scoring with just eight minutes on the clock through Okazaki.
Yasuhito Endo spotted the forward's run between the Saudi defence and Okazaki lobbed the keeper before making certain the ball landed in the back net by stabbing home from close range.
It got even better for the Japanese just five minutes later when Okazaki got his second of the game as he was left unmarked inside the area to head home from Shinji Kagawa's cross.
And the win was in no doubt when Japan added a third in the 19th minute when Maeda volleyed home from close range.
Despite their dreadful start, the Saudis finally began to enjoy a spell of possession after that - perhaps due to Japan opting to step down a gear - and they had chances through Osama Al Harbi, Tayseer Al Jassem and Abdullah Suhail.
But normality resumed six minutes into the second half when Maeda headed home his second from a Masahiko Inoha cross.
With no sign of a way back, the Saudi players clearly could not wait for the final whistle to be blown while Japan were seemingly happy to relax and take their foot off the pedal.
But there was time for Okazaki to score his third of the game when he latched onto a pass from Maeda in the 80th minute, worked his way past a couple of defenders before smashing home. |
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Jordan 2-1 Syria: Al Saify winner ensures knockout stages spot
Adnan Hamad's side join Japan in next round
By Paul Macdonald
Jordan have booked their place in the knockout stages of the Asian Cup after coming from a goal down to defeat Syria in Doha.
An early goal from Al Zino had put Syria in the driving seat, but an own goal from Ali Dyab and the winner from Odai Al Saify ensured that Adnan Hamad's men march on to the next round.
Group B remained in the balance prior to kick-off, with Japan taking on already-eliminated Saudi Arabia, meaning a point would suffice to see Jordan progress at Syria’s expense.
But it was Syria, knowing that a win was essential, that stormed into the lead on 15 minutes. Mohammed Al Zino unleashed a strike on goal that flew into the net past the despairing dive of Shafi.
Despite securing a creditable draw with Japan and overcoming the Saudis, 'Al-Nashima' were staring elimination in the face, but the unfortunate Ali Dyab put the ball past his own goalkeeper on the half-hour mark, and Jordan found themselves back in pole position to progress.
And on the hour mark, Hamad’s side scored the goal that ensured they reached the knockout stages of the competition for only the second time in their history, when midfielder Odai Al Saify popped up to beat Mosab Balhous and leave Syria with it all to do.
The Eagles bombarded the Jordan goal in the closing stages in a desperate attempt to claw their way back into the contest, but could not create a clear cut opportunity, and in the end they were left disappointed.
As a result, Jordan head through to the last eight along with group winners Japan, leaving Syria and Saudi Arabia to regret missed opportunities. |
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Keputusan malam ini
dan kedudukan kumpulan C
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Australia and South Korea ease into last eight
UPDATED @ 11:32:04 PM 18-01-2011
January 18, 2011
 South Korea’s players applaud their fans after their Asian Cup Group C match against India at Al Gharafa stadium in Doha today January 18, 2011. — Reuters pic
DOHA, Jan 18 — Australia beat Bahrain and South Korea swept past India as the two AFC heavyweights today claimed Asian Cup quarter-final places.
Twice champions South Korea easily beat already eliminated India 4-1 at a wet Al Gharafa Stadium to finish second in Group C and set up a last eight meeting with Group D winners Iran while Australia recorded a 1-0 win over Bahrain at Al Sadd.
The results mean Australia top Group C on seven points from three matches, ahead of South Korea on goal difference, with Bahrain third on three and India last without a point.Bahrain started brightly as they looked for a win over Australia that would have taken them into the last eight but they struggled to find a breakthrough once Mile Jedinak put the Socceroos in front in the 37th minute. |
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Perlawanan terakhir kumpulan D
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Keputusan perlawanan semalam
dan kedudukan kumpulan D
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Impressive Iran through in style
Iran maintained its unbeaten run at the AFC Asian Cup with a convincing 3-0 win over the United Arab Emirates in a game that saw both sides reduced to 10 men.
Arash Afshin opened the scoring in the 70th minute before being sent off for a second bookable offence two minutes later.
Khalid Sebil was also dismissed soon after for UAE before Iran then wrapped up the win with an 83rd-minute Mohammad Nori strike and a stoppage-time own goal from Walid Abbas.
Iran progresses to the knockout stage as Group D winner and takes on Korea Republic for a place in the semi-finals.
With qualification already secured, Iran made a raft of changes and it was not surprising that it was UAE which dominated the opening exchanges.
Subait Khater was the first to threaten for either side when he launched a shot from distance straight at Iran goalkeeper Shahab Gordon before Ahmad Khalil saw his low drive bounce back off the woodwork.
Iran was offering little in terms of attacking threat but finally mustered a chance just before the half-hour, when Nori sent a first-time shot just wide.
However, UAE quickly regained control and finished the half strongly as Khalil fired a free-kick over the bar before Ismail Matar's 44th-minute effort was just off target.
There was once again a dearth of chances early in the second half and it was not until the 60th minute that a shot on target was registered with Ghasem Hadadifar's volley needing UAE keeper Majed Nasser to push away for a corner.
However, the stalemate was finally broken in the 70th minute with the goal going the way of the Iranians. Mohammad Gholami hit the woodwork twice in quick succession before Afshin was on hand to stab home the rebound.
But Afshin had little time to celebrate his strike as he was sent off for his second bookable offence two minutes later after going in strong on Nasser when attempting to challenge for the ball.
UAE was also reduced to 10 men in the 79th minute when Sebil was shown a second yellow for taking the legs of Iran's Hadadifar.
Iran then dominated the closing stages and wrapped up the win as Nori scored in the 83rd minute and Abbas then put the ball in the back of his own net in stoppage-time when attempting to deny Gholam Reza Rezaei. |
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Holders Iraq go through to quarterfinals
(CNN) -- Holders Iraq sealed their place in the last eight of the Asian Cup in Doha after a narrow 1-0 victory over North Korea.
A goal midway through the first half from Kerrar Jasim proved enough to gain Iraq second place in Group D and secure a showdown with Group C winners Australia, with a semifinal place for the winners.
Jasim slid in to score from close range after North Korea goalkeeper Ri Myong-Guk could only parry Mustafa Kareem's swerving shot.
Bend it like Bhutia: Meet India's David Beckham
Meanwhile, police in the Sunni town of Falluja, 60km west of Baghdad, told CNN they imposed a curfew during the match to prevent people from shooting in the air in case of an Iraqi victory.
Similar Incidents that followed Saturday's win over United Arab Emirates saw three people killed and seven others wounded, accoring to local health officials.
RELATED TOPICS
* Football
* Iraq
* Iran
* North Korea
* Qatar
It is an Iraqi tradition to celebrate by firing pistols or machineguns into the air, but Baghdad Military Operation Command issued warnings that some insurgency groups might take advantage of these shootings and conduct terrorist attacks against Iraqi security forces or civilians.
Elsewhere in the Asian Cup, Iran comfortably topped the group with a maximum nine points -- the only nation to achieve that target -- after cruising to a 3-0 victory over United Arab Emirates despite fielding a weakened side.
Having already qualified, Iran made nine changes to their side, but they still proved far too classy for their opponents, who finished the group bottom and without a win or goal to their name.
Arash Afshin, Mohammad Nori and a Walid Abbas own goal gave Iran victory although both teams finished with 10 men after Afshin and UAE defender Khalid Sebil both saw red in separate incidents.
Iran will now face South Korea for the fifth consecutive time at this stage of the tournament.
The quarterfinal stage gets under way on Friday, with host nation Qatar tackling three-time champions Japan and Group A winners Uzbekistan facing Jordan. |
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iran lawan korea...paling best ni....anyway iran musti menang |
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Keputusan perlawanan semalam
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Qatar out as Japan, Uzbeks move into semis
Updated January 22, 2011 08:20:00
Ten-man Japan twice came from behind to battle past hosts Qatar and reach the Asian Cup semi-finals on Friday, where it will be joined by a history-making Uzbekistan.
Defender Masahiko Inoha was the hero of the day for Japan, which is chasing its fourth continental crown, snatching a dramatic 3-2 winner in the 90th minute to leave the hosts heartbroken.
"I knew it would be a difficult match and it was a very difficult match," said Japan's Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni, whose side will take on Iran or East Asian arch rivals South Korea for a place in the final.
Zaccheroni added: "With 10 men, we were one man short, but we still had more possession.
"That our defender scored the winning goal demonstrated what Japanese football is about."
Qatar's French coach Bruno Metsu was proud despite failing to steer the 2022 World Cup hosts to their first ever Asian Cup semi-final.
"The players really caused problems for Japan. Not everyone can do that. It's the best performance they've given," he said.
"The team put in a very good performance, tactically and physically, and showed a great image of football in Qatar.
"The players are disappointed, some of them cried. To lose a match like that is cruel, but that's part of the game."
Sebastian Suria's 12th-minute opener for Qatar was cancelled out by Shinji Kagawa, who drew Japan level again with 20 minutes to go after Fabio Cesar's free-kick had crept inside Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima's near post.
Japan defender Maya Yoshida was harshly dismissed after receiving a second yellow card in the incident that led to the free-kick, but with the arena set for extra time, Inoha struck a decisive last-gasp blow.
In the later game, Uzbekistan looked to be sailing after striker Ulugbek Bakaev netted a quick-fire second-half brace to put the Central Asians 2-0 up against surprise package Jordan and on their way to a maiden semi-final.
But the Uzbeks were left to weather several nervy moments after Bashar Bani Yaseen struck from close range shortly before the hour to set up a grandstand finish.
Uzbekistan will take on either Australia or Iraq after the Uzbeks' game against Jordan burst into life in the second half.
The first period was far from dull, despite the 40,000-capacity Khalifa Stadium being half-empty, but the second half was even better as Doha enjoyed a footballing feast.
Former CSKA Moscow man Bakaev got his first 60 seconds after the start of the second half when he beat the offside trap to meet a free-kick from captain Server Djeparov and head past Jordan goalkeeper Amer Shafi.
Jordan was caught napping again just minutes later when Bakaev slid in front of a defender to prod the ball home after a low cross from the left flank.
But to Jordan's credit, it fought back and reduced the deficit with Yaseen bringing the mostly Jordanian crowd to their feet when he pounced on a rebound from close range to make it 2-1 with half an hour to go.
It set up a tense finale and Jordan attacked relentlessly but the Uzbek defence held firm and the Central Asians almost got a third on the counter-attack.
Uzbekistan had made the quarter-finals twice before, in 2004 and 2007, but was denied a last four spot on each occasion. |
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Post time 17-1-2011 06:33 AM
8', 13', 80'
A last-minute Masahiko Inoha goal gave 10-man Japan a dramatic 3-2 victory over Qatar in a thrilling Asian Cup quarter-final on Friday.
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