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Jonathan White

Vietnam, China and Iran are all through to the Asian Cup quarter-finals and three more nations will join them by the end of Monday’s matches.
First up is the game between Japan and Saudi Arabia in Sharjah.
The afternoon tie sees the meeting of four-time winners Japan against the three-time champion Saudis, and both are considered among the favourites in the UAE.
Japan are the third favourites with the bookmakers at $4 behind South Korea and Iran. Saudi Arabia ($13) are fifth after holders Australia.




The Blue Samurai showed steel in twice coming back to win matches and qualified top of group F with maximum points.
Saudi Arabia won their first two games – including a 4-0 defeat of North Korea – but finished second after losing to Qatar in the decisive final match.
Both teams have impressed in front of goal.
Tsukasa Shiotani’s winner over Uzbekistan and Fahad Al Muwallad’s scorcher against Lebanon were both among the goals of the group stage.
Meanwhile, Saudi midfielder Salem Al Dawsari and Japan full back Yuto Nagatomo stood out as star performers in the groups.
Japan are favourites ($1.77) with Saudi Arabia paying $5 for the win. The draw over 90 minutes is priced at $3.75.
Extra-time and penalties will decide who plays Vietnam in the quarters if needed.
Kick off at Sharjah Stadium is 7pm (Hong Kong time) and the game is on Fox Sports 2 (channel 671).
Prediction: Japan 2-1 Saudi Arabia

☄️ An absolute screamer from Japan's @sio125 right into the corner of the net, is this your goal of the round?
Vote here https://t.co/iyHEDhbY79#AsianCup2019 pic.twitter.com/pkEh54VzME
— #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) 19 January 2019

Australia lifted the 2015 edition of the Asian Cup on home soil but they have made hard work of their title defence in the UAE.
A shock loss to Jordan was followed by a convincing win over Palestine in group B but it needed a dramatic Tom Rogic winner in injury time against Syria on matchday three to ensure the Socceroos went through as runners-up to the Jordanians.
Young winger Awer Mabil opened the scoring in that game and it would be no surprise if we saw the former refugee’s goal celebration again at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium.
Uzbekistan qualified for the knock-outs with runners-up spot to Japan in group F and two wins out of three.
Striker Eldor Shomurodov scored in every game and his success in front of goal is vital if the Uzbeks are to overturn the odds and march on to the quarter-finals, where they would play the winner of the game that follows.
Australia are clear favourites at $1.75 and a draw is $3.80. Uzbekistan to win is $5.25.
Kick off in Al Ain is 10pm and the game is shown live on Fox Sports 2 (channel 671).
Prediction: Australia 3-2 Uzbekistan


Finally, the hosts, UAE, are in action against new boys Kyrgyzstan in Abu Dhabi for the chance to play Australia or Uzbekistan next.
The group A winners are unbeaten with a win and two draws to show so far but they have scored in every game and Ali Mabkhout has netted in two of them.
It was a comfortable path to the knockouts for the UAE once Ahmed Khalil settled their nerves with a late penalty to equalise against Bahrain in the tournament’s opening game.
After finishing as the second best third-placed team Kyrgyzstan became the first debutants in 12 years to make it through to the knockout stage
They had striker Vitalij Lux to thank for a hat-trick that saw off the Philippines on match day three.
That was the country’s first Asian Cup win and another against the holders would be beyond the wildest dreams of their supporters.
It’s not quite beyond the wildest dreams of the bookmakers but at $8.5 a Kyrgyzstan victory at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium is unexpected.
The hosts are clear favourites at $1.50 and a draw is $4.20.
Action from the Zayed Sports City Stadium starts at 1am and the game is live on Fox Sports 2 (channel 671).
Prediction: UAE 1-0 Kyrgyzstan




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Photo: AFP

Sport

Football

Socceroos face a challenge from Uzbekistan side that gave Japan a battle
Hosts hope to make it through to quarter-finals with win over debutants Kyrgyzstan


Socceroos face challenge from Uzbekistan side that gave Japan a battle
while hosts hope to make it through to quarter-finals with win over debutants Kyrgyzstan


What Asian Cup games can I watch today? Odds, schedule, predictions for round of 16 in the UAE

Socceroos face a challenge from Uzbekistan side that gave Japan a battle Hosts hope to make it through to quarter-finals with win over debutants Kyrgyzstan

Socceroos face a challenge from Uzbekistan side that gave Japan a battle

Hosts hope to make it through to quarter-finals with win over debutants Kyrgyzstan