AFC Asian Cup Semi-finals
There were plenty of surprises in the quarter-finals, but there’s no time to ponder on the “what ifs” as the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup gets underway.
Iran and Japan are the main attractions of the continental affair, as the two undefeated teams battle it out in a fight deserving to be a finals encounter rather than a semis. The Samurai Blue are looking for a record-extending fifth title in the Asian tournament, while Team Melli can tie Japan’s tally with a win in the competition.
Unfortunately, only one of them can move on to the final, and that should make for a classic meeting at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
On the other final-four game, Qatar face hosts the United Arab Emirates. The two surprise semi-finalists are even expected to be here, but they defied all odds and expectations by stunning the giants of Asian football to make it to this stage.
Iran vs Japan (January 28, 22:00 GMT+8)
The semis meeting between these two teams seems unfair. After all, they are the top two nations in the competition but they won’t be fighting in the finals for the title.
Both Japan and Iran are riding a five-game unbeaten run in the Asian Cup, with the former even winning all of their matches so far.
Sure enough, Team Melli are the favourites here—pre-tournament AFC Asian Cup 2019 odds at SBOBET gave them the best chance to bring home the title anyway. And they further proved their title credentials after seeing off China in the quarters with three unanswered goals.
Iran are currently the highest-scoring team with 12 goals, tied with Qatar who have also been on a tear offensively. ‘Iranian Messi’ Sardar Azmoun has also been sensational, accounting for four of the team’s overall tally.
The Iranians are expected to attack relentlessly once again as they look to stop 2011 Asian champions Japan, a team that hasn’t shown much of a scoring threat.
However, Iran manager Carlos Queiroz isn’t letting his guard down despite Japan’s recent performances. The Samurai Blue bagged back-to-back 1-0 victories, albeit in unconvincing fashion. However, it should be noted that they haven’t conceded yet in the five games they played in.
“In front of us we have just another game. Of course, the game has added significance in terms of enthusiasm and excitement, but when the whistle goes you simply have to play,” Queiroz said. “This is especially true as now we know the big sharks will come for us.”
“We must always progress with the same humble attitude and strive to be better every game. I always say to my team that after a match the Iranian shirt must always be in a higher place. What we did against China will not work [in the match against Japan], so we need to ensure that we improve game after game.”
Betting Tip: 1X2 Iran @ 2.09.
Qatar vs. United Arab Emirates (January 29, 22:00 GMT+8)
Outsiders Qatar and the United Arab Emirates made it to the semis, to the surprise of the football world.
Qatar have been great offensively, but against a South Korean team powered by Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min, they were considered heavy underdogs. Nevertheless, they grabbed what could be said as one of the best AFC Asian Cup 2019 results with a late stunner against the Taegeuk Warriors.
As mentioned, Qatar already have a dozen goals to their name, making them a massive threat to the hosts. Interestingly, like Japan, they are yet to be broken through on the defensive end—having already kept five clean sheets.
“We achieved something that is history for us,” Qatar coach Felix Sanchez told Aljazeera. “It was difficult for us to keep the ball in the first 25 minutes but we were very organised and did not concede many clear chances.”
“We played a great game, these players made a huge effort. I congratulate them, I think they did something very, very good for the country.”
The UAE, on the other hand, will be brimming with confidence themselves. They just took down reigning champions Australia, after all!
The host nation always have a tendency not to show up when it matters, as seen in their draws with Bahrain and Thailand in the group stage of the competition. But their win against the Australians will undoubtedly give them a significant boost.
They scored just once in the game, but they did well holding the Socceroos goalless to come out on top.
The UAE will also fancy their chances considering that Qatar have not beaten them in their last five meetings. Oh, and have I mentioned home-court advantage?
Betting Tip: 1X2 United Arab Emirates @ 3.10.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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