ABU DHABI (AFP) – Hosts United Arab Emirates ended Kyrgyzstan’s fairytale with a controversial extra-time penalty to reach the Asian Cup quarter-finals on Monday (Jan 21) as holders Australia and Japan also advanced.Â
A knee-wobbling, chest-thumping Mathew Ryan saved two spot kicks as the Socceroos beat Uzbekistan’s White Wolves in a shootout, while the Blue Samurai bundled out Saudi Arabia.Â
Substitute Ahmed Khalil was UAE’s hero on an angst-ridden Abu Dhabi night as he converted another late penalty after a refereeing decision that could charitably be described as “softâ€.Â
“I don’t want to talk about the referee,†growled Kyrgyzstan coach Aleksandr Krestinin. “We leave the tournament with a lot of regrets – we deserved more. It’s our first Asian Cup but I’m absolutely sure it won’t be our last and we will come back stronger.â€
Kyrgyz substitute Tursunali Rustamov had stunned the Emirates when he snatched a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser at the end of a nail-biting contest that began so poorly for the former Soviet republic. It took the home side just 14 minutes to break through as Khamis Esmaeel headed in an Ismail Matar corner.Â
Plucky Kyrgyzstan refused to go down without a fight, however, and the White Falcons equalised midway through the first half when Mirlan Murzaev squeezed the ball in from a seemingly impossible angle.Â
Kyrgyz captain Valery Kichin subsequently gave UAE a scare when his curling shot crashed against the crossbar. But Ali Mabkhout volleyed the 2015 semi-finalists back in front with his third goal of the tournament after some horror defending from Mustafa Iusupov.Â
That looked to have ended Kyrgyzstan’s brave resistance until Rustamov headed home in the dying seconds to force extra time. But after Mabkhout had crumpled to the turf under minimal contact 11 minutes into the first additional period, the former runners-up were awarded a disputed late penalty for the second time in this tournament.Â
Grobbelaar impression Â
As he had in the curtain raiser against Bahrain, Khalil coolly drilled home the spot kick to give UAE a shot at avenging their semi-final defeat by Australia four years ago.Â
There was still time for Baktyiar Duishobekov and Rustamov to hit the woodwork, but the Emiratis somehow clung on to give themselves a shot at avenging their semi-final defeat by Australia four years ago.Â
“Yes we had another penalty but we created a lof of chances,†insisted UAE coach Alberto Zaccheroni, who steered Japan to the Asian Cup title in 2011. “We didn’t kill the game off but we showed a positive response and strong character after their late equaliser.â€
Meanwhile, Ryan saved Australia’s skin under a blood-red “wolf moon†in Al-Ain, doing his best Bruce Grobbelaar impression to distract Uzbekistan’s penalty takers after a bruising 0-0 draw.Â
The Brighton goalkeeper denied Islom Tukhtakhujaev and Marat Bikmaev before Mathew Leckie smashed in the decisive kick in the shootout to send the Socceroos through.Â
“This new team of ours showed great calmness under that pressure,†said Australia coach Graham Arnold. “That’s why Maty is in the Premier League and that’s why he’s such a world-class goalkeeper.â€
Elsewhere, four-time winners Japan scraped past Saudi Arabia 1-0 thanks to a first-half header from Takehiro Tomiyasu. Japan’s win over the three-time champions in Sharjah came despite conceding 77 per cent possession in favour of the Gulf side.
 “Asian football is getting more competitive,†said Japan captain Maya Yoshida after the Blue Samurai moved on to face Vietnam. “To become Asian champions would put us close to the world’s elite so we have to keep improving.â€Â
Claude Puel has spoken of his "honour" at being given the opportunity to manage Leicester following his sacking at the weekend. The 57-year-old Frenchman's 16-month reign came to an end after
Sacked Puel says an 'honour' to manage Leicester - World
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/02/25/sacked-puel-says-an-honour-to-manage-leicester/
London (AFP) - Claude Puel has spoken of his "honour" at being given the opportunity to manage Leicester following his sacking at the weekend. The 57-year-old Frenchman's 16-month reign came to an end after Saturday's 4-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace, Leicester's sixth defeat in seven matches.
Claude Puel: Sacked Leicester boss says it was his 'honour
Poch Tells Tottenham To Purchase Players It's a different level to play in the Champions League. Advertisement. Young Player of the Year Dele Alli has been a key part of Spurs' success
Poch Tells Tottenham To Purchase Players - Yahoo News UK
Football: Klopp confirms Firmino fitness for Champions League final Roberto Firmino trained in Madrid on Friday and is fit after missing Liverpool's last three games, manager Jurgen Klopp said
Tottenham vs Liverpool: Roberto Firmino passed fit for
Jurgen Klopp dismisses talk of Liverpool crumbling under
The Pakistan national Football team represents Pakistan association football in FIFA-authorised events and is controlled by the Pakistan Football Federation, the governing body for football in Pakistan. Pakistan's home ground is Punjab Stadium, Lahore. Pakistan became a member of FIFA in 1948 joining the Asian Football Confederation. Pakistan's
Khash-Erdene Batbayar - Wikipedia
Singaporean Akbar Nawas has been named the I-League's best coach after leading Chennai City to their first title earlier this month. The Indian team swept seven out of 10 categories at the I
Singapore's Akbar is best coach in I-League | Sports Love Me
sportsloveme.com/soccer/singapores-akbar-is-best-coach-in-i-league/
Singapore's Akbar is best coach in I-League 03/25/2019 AKBA , AWARDS AND PRIZES , India Singaporean Akbar Nawas has been named the I-League's best coach after leading Chennai City to their first title earlier this month.
Singapore's Akbar is best coach in I-League - theworldnews.net
MADRID (AFP) - Atletico Madrid moved level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona after Antoine Griezmann's second-half penalty was enough to see off Espanyol 1-0 on Saturday (Dec 22).. Read
La Liga: Red-hot Griezmann fires Atletico level with Barcelona
Jurgen Klopp pinpointed a mounting injury list as the explanation for Liverpool's sub-par performance in a 1-1 draw at West Ham on Monday that leaves the league leaders just three points clear of
Premier League - Page 3 - Champion Delight - Football News
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer misses out on history as Manchester United's winning run comes to an end. and then stung United at the start of the second half. with Solskjaer taking off Pereira
Premier League: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's winning run ends after
WEST HAM UNITED 3 SOUTHAMPTON 0. Arnautovic ends drought as West Ham sink Southampton. 3 Min Read. Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Southampton - London Stadium, London
Arnautovic ends drought as West Ham sink Southampton
By Matt McGeehan Manchester United dumped holders Chelsea out of the FA Cup with a 2-0 fifth-round win at Stamford Bridge to leave Maurizio Sarri's position as Blues head coach ever more precarious.
Football: United dump holders Chelsea out of Cup to pile
0 comments:
Post a Comment