- Australia are through to the Asian Cup quarter-finals after thrashing Indonesia 4-0 in the round of 16 on Sunday
- Meanwhile, Tajikistan made history when they advanced to the quarter-finals after a 5-3 victory over the United Arab Emirates on penalties
Australia are through to the Asian Cup quarter-finals after thrashing Indonesia 4-0 in the round of 16 on Sunday. The 2015 champions took the lead inside 12 minutes when Elkan Baggott deflected Jackson Irvine’s cross into the net. They then doubled their lead at the stroke of half time when Martin Boyle headed home.
Two more goals in the second half from Craig Goodwin and Harry Souttar ensured that Australia booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the tournament with a resounding win. While it was Indonesia’s first-ever knockout game, things didn’t go exactly as planned.
Australia progressed to Asian Cup quarters after thrashing Indonesia 4-0 and will face the winner between Saudi Arabia and South Korea on February 2. Photo/ Al Jazeera.
Australia will next face the winner between Saudi Arabia and South Korea on February 2.
Speaking after Sunday’s huge win, Australia’s coach Graham Arnold gave credit to Indonesia for making the contest challenging.
“Credit to Indonesia, I think they made it tough. Physically, they were very big and strong. It was a tough game. The quality that we’ve got up front came through today. Asian Football is coming along with leaps and bounds. We expected that, that’s exactly what we said to the boys, ‘Be ready for a fight. Be ready for a physical battle because that’s what Indonesia is going to bring.” Arnold told reporters, as per Reuters.
With majority of the fans at Jassim bin Hamal Stadium behind Indonesia, the south east Asian side started the game on a high note. However, they did nothing meaningful in front of goal and were made to pay when Australia came knocking.
Australia took the lead barely 12 minutes into the match after defender Baggott, who plays for English club Ipswich Town, deflected Irvin’s cross into his own net.
Indonesia tried to find the leveller immediately but Rafael Struick’s close range effort went over. With the first 45 minutes drawing to an end, they had another opportunity but Yakob Sayuri fired wide while unmarked.
Australia increased their lead to two in the 45th minute when Gethin Jones’ low cross into the box was met by Boyle in the box. The Indonesian fans at Jassim bin Hamal Stadium tried their best to motivate their players in the second period but Australia proved to strong for them.
Goodwin headed home a rebound in the 89th minute and then assisted the final goal that was scored by Leicester City defender Souttar in stoppage time.
Tajikistan Advance To Quarters At The Expense Of UAE
Later on Sunday, Tajikistan made history when they advanced to the quarter-finals after a 5-3 victory over the United Arab Emirates on penalties. They are ranked outside the top 100.
Tajikistan are playing in the Asian Cup for the first time and surprisingly took the lead against UAE in the first half through Vahdat Hanonov. Despite managing to defend until stoppage time, Tajikistan conceded in the last minutes of the game when Al Hammadi headed home.
Tajikistan, ranked outside the top 100, advanced to Asian Cup quarters after upsetting United Arab Emirates 5-3 on penalties. Photo/ The New Arab.
With no team succeeded to find the back of the net in extra time, the game had to be decided through penalty shootout, with Tajikistan’s Alisher Shukurov burying the final spot-kick in Doha to send the Central Asians into the quarters.
Tajikistan are the second debutant in Asian Cup to reach the quarter-finals since Australia in 2007. It was a disappointing evening for an experienced UAE side that reached the tournament’s semi-finals in both 2015 and 2019.
Tajikistan will either face 2007 champions Iraq or Jordan in the next stage of the tournament. The two clubs meet on Monday at 2:30 pm. The other round of 16 Asian Cup fixture today will be between Qatar and Palestine.
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