By Samindra Kunti in Doha
January 28 – Debutants and history-makers Tajikistan stunned the United Arab Emirates 5-3 on penalties following an absorbing 1-1 draw to advance to the last eight of the Asian Cup.
January 28 – Socceroos boss Graham Arnold praised his forward line after their 4-0 win over Indonesia that put them into the quarter finals, but recognised his opponents for making the going tough.
January 29 – United Arab Emirates manager Paulo Bento admitted that his side were punished for mistakes in what he called ‘a bad competition’ as the country exited the Asian Cup in the round of 16 against debutants Tajikistan.
January 28 – Australia fought off a determined Indonesia to claim the first place in the quarter finals, in the end running out as 4-0 victors in a comfortable match at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium which was filled to the brim with Indonesian supporters.
January 28 – Despite a 4-0 beating at the hands of Australia in the last 16 of the Asian Cup, Indonesia manager Shin Tae Yong insisted that the team’s performance was strong and better than the result indicated.
January 27 – On the eve of the biggest match in Tajikistan’s history, manager Petar Šegrt has said his debutant side won’t assume the role of underdogs in their round-of-sixteen match against the United Arab Emirates.
January 27 – After finishing top of Group B with an unbeaten start to the competition, Australia are in solid form entering the knockout phase, but coach Graham Arnold believes they can do better.
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
January 26 – The group stage of the Asian Cup was wrapped up yesterday with Saudi Arabia heading Group F, but the narrative for the first three rounds of matches has been the narrowing gap between the traditional powerhouses and the rest.
January 25 – Saudi Arabia boss Roberto Mancini is confident of his side’s chances against South Korea in the round of 16, despite his side’s underwhelming draw against Thailand yesterday (Thursday).
January 25 – Both Kyrgyz Republic and Oman needed a win at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa stadium to stand any chance of going into the knockout rounds of the Asian Cup as one of the best third placed group teams.
January 25 – Saudi Arabia were held by Thailand as the two sides closed out the Asian Cup group stages with a 0-0 draw at the Education City Stadium.
January 26 – Thailand’s second-choice goalkeeper Saranon Anuin’s flawless display against Saudi Arabia saw him pick up the Man of the Match award on his international debut, as the 29-year-old inspired his team to a historic draw in the last group game of the Asian Cup.
January 25 – Bahrain made it back-to-back wins at the Asian Cup as they edged out Jordan 1-0 to claim a thoroughly deserved place in the last 16 of the competition as both sides ended up advancing.
January 25 – Malaysia held South Korea to a dramatic 3-3 draw with Romel Morales’s last-ditch stoppage time equaliser condemning Jurgen Klinsmann’s team to second spot in Group E.
January 24 – Iraq completed a clean sweep of Group D at the Asian Cup as they converted a last-gasp stoppage time penalty to beat brave 10-man Vietnam in the most dramatic of circumstances.