Asian Cup quarterfinals feature familiar teams
01/20/2011 - 16:44
الرابط المختصر
Six teams that made it to the Asian Cup quarterfinals four years ago have progressed to the last eight again, showing little shift in power at the tournament.
The only surprise absentee is three-time champion and 2007 runner-up Saudi Arabia. Instead, the quarterfinals will feature host Qatar—a welcome boost to the small nation seeking to build a credible team for 2022, when it will host the World Cup.
Qatar will face a major test when it plays three-time Japan in Friday’s quarterfinals, while Uzbekistan takes on Jordan—the other country to have shaken up the 2007 order.
In Saturday’s games, it’s Australia vs. defending champion Iraq and Iran vs. South Korea.