Tajikistan stun UAE on penalties to move into Asian Cup quarter-finals
Asian Cup debutants Tajikistan booked their place in the quarter-finals with a dramatic 5-3 penalty shootout win over the United Arab Emirates after a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
The United Arab Emirates and Tajikistan went head-to-head in the last 16 of the Asian Cup in Doha on Sunday. Asian Cup debutants Tajikistan booked their place in the quarter-finals with a dramatic 5-3 penalty shootout win over the United Arab Emirates after a 1-1 draw on Sunday, reported Mehr News Agency.
Alisher Shukurov buried the final spot-kick in Doha to send the Central Asians – ranked 106th in the world – into a showdown with either Jordan or the 2007 champions Iraq.
Tajikistan goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov saved from Caio Canedo with the UAE’s second penalty of the shootout.
Tajikistan looked set for a famous victory when Vakhdat Khanonov scored with a 30th-minute header, only for Khalifa Al-Hammadi to equalise in the 95th minute and send the game into extra-time.
The UAE reached the semi-finals at the last two Asian Cups but Paulo Bento’s side bow out to a Tajikistan side ranked more than 40 places lower than them.
Led by charismatic Croat Petar Segrt, Tajikistan drew with China and beat Lebanon in the first round
In another game held earlier on Sunday, Australia defeated Indonesia 4-0 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup.
Two goals in the first half put the 2015 continental champion in control in the second-round clash at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium with Martin Boyle’s header adding to an early own goal from Elkan Baggott.
Late strikes from Craig Goodwin and Harry Souttar scuppered any hopes that Indonesia, playing its first game at the knockout stage, may have had of getting back into the match.
“We knew they would come out here with nothing to lose today, we knew they would come and fight and run,” said Australian forward Jackson Irvine, who had a hand in two goals. “In the first half they caused us some problems with their energy and intensity but our experience and professionalism shone through in the second half and I think we had too much for them on the day.”
The Socceroos were 2-0 ahead at the break despite having just one attempt on target. The opener came in the 12 minute as Irvine’s cross from the right took a deflection off defender Baggott, who plays for Ipswich Town in England’s second tier, into the net.
Indonesia had chances, coming close after just six minutes but Rafael Struick fired over from close range. With half-time looming, Yakob Sayuri fired wide while unmarked on the left side of the area.
There was still time for Australia to extend its lead on the stroke of half-time. Gethin Jones swept in a curling low cross from the right and Boyle’s diving header at the far post extended the lead.
Australia took greater control in the second half and, as Indonesia tired, Goodwin headed home a rebound after Ernando Ari had saved Irvine’s header in the 89th minute. Goodwin then provided the cross for Leicester City defender Souttar to head his 11th international goal from close range.
“I am very proud of my team,” said Indonesia captain Jordi Amat. “We knew from the start it would be a tough game. They were more clinical in the first half. We had our chances but couldn’t score. We need to work and come back stronger.”
Australia will face the winner of Tuesday’s tie between South Korea and Saudi Arabia.