+ A
A -
DPA
Abu Dhabi
Japan edged Saudi Arabia 1-0 in an Asian Cup clash of the titans which failed to live up to its billing on Monday while reigning champions Australia had Mat Ryan to thank for two saves in a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Uzbekistan.
Takehiro Tomiyasu’s header against the run of play eliminated Saudi Arabia from the last 16 and booked the record winners a last eight date with Vietnam.
Australia went through on penalties following a dismal 0-0 draw and await the winner from the hosts UAE playing Kyrgyzstan in Abu Dhabi later.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu made 10 changes to the rotated side which defeated Uzbekistan to top Group F game with only Yoshinori Muto keeping his spot in Sharjah.
The reassembled team took time to settle but snatched the lead with their first chance when Tomiyasu nodded in a 20th minute corner in a rare attack.
The three-time champion Saudis dominated possession throughout but Japan keeper Shuichi Gonda scarcely had save to make.
Muto spurned a breakaway but even when Saudi Arabia started creating chances Salem Al Dawsari, from the middle of the box, and Ali al Bulayhi, with a free header, couldn’t hit the target.
Japan will continue their bid for a fifth continental crown in Dubai on Thursday.
Australia made a slow start in Al Ain and Brighton keeper Ryan stayed big to save on the angle from Uzbekistan’s top scorer Eldor Shomurodov.
The Socceroos needed a full hour to carve out a decent chance, which Rhyan Grant headed over, before returning winger Mathew Leckie’s shot was scrambled clear by veteran keeper Ignatiy Nesterov.
A tense period of extra-time brought no further chances to leave penalties the decider and Nesterov, playing in his record fifth Asian
Cup, saved from Aziz Behich to give his side the early advantage. But Ryan immediately halted Islom Tukhtakhujaev to level and his subsequent save from Marat Bikmaev gave Hertha Berlin winger Leckie the chance to seal a spot in the last eight, again in Al Ain, on
Friday.
Abu Dhabi
Japan edged Saudi Arabia 1-0 in an Asian Cup clash of the titans which failed to live up to its billing on Monday while reigning champions Australia had Mat Ryan to thank for two saves in a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Uzbekistan.
Takehiro Tomiyasu’s header against the run of play eliminated Saudi Arabia from the last 16 and booked the record winners a last eight date with Vietnam.
Australia went through on penalties following a dismal 0-0 draw and await the winner from the hosts UAE playing Kyrgyzstan in Abu Dhabi later.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu made 10 changes to the rotated side which defeated Uzbekistan to top Group F game with only Yoshinori Muto keeping his spot in Sharjah.
The reassembled team took time to settle but snatched the lead with their first chance when Tomiyasu nodded in a 20th minute corner in a rare attack.
The three-time champion Saudis dominated possession throughout but Japan keeper Shuichi Gonda scarcely had save to make.
Muto spurned a breakaway but even when Saudi Arabia started creating chances Salem Al Dawsari, from the middle of the box, and Ali al Bulayhi, with a free header, couldn’t hit the target.
Japan will continue their bid for a fifth continental crown in Dubai on Thursday.
Australia made a slow start in Al Ain and Brighton keeper Ryan stayed big to save on the angle from Uzbekistan’s top scorer Eldor Shomurodov.
The Socceroos needed a full hour to carve out a decent chance, which Rhyan Grant headed over, before returning winger Mathew Leckie’s shot was scrambled clear by veteran keeper Ignatiy Nesterov.
A tense period of extra-time brought no further chances to leave penalties the decider and Nesterov, playing in his record fifth Asian
Cup, saved from Aziz Behich to give his side the early advantage. But Ryan immediately halted Islom Tukhtakhujaev to level and his subsequent save from Marat Bikmaev gave Hertha Berlin winger Leckie the chance to seal a spot in the last eight, again in Al Ain, on
Friday.
