SHARJAH • Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu was full of praise for his players' fighting spirit after they overcame three-time Asian Cup champions Saudi Arabia 1-0 to advance to the quarter-finals.
Takehiro Tomiyasu's lone strike was enough to send the Saudis crashing out at the Sharjah Stadium in the United Arab Emirates yesterday.
"I knew Saudi Arabia was a team with offensive power and I was ready to face a tough battle," Moriyasu said after the match.
"But they fought more strongly than I imagined and my players took a tough stance all the way to the end.
"They persistently fought without stopping their feet.
"Of course we wanted to attack even more, but I think the players did well in terms of the flow of the game."
Japan, record four-time winners of the Asian Cup, march on to a quarter-final with South-east Asian champions Vietnam despite not yet hitting top form at the tournament.
The Vietnamese stunned Jordan 4-2 on penalties after their last-16 clash ended 1-1 on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia were in the ascendancy early on, but it was Japan who snatched the advantage with a straightforward goal from a set piece on 20 minutes.
From a corner, Belgium-based defender Tomiyasu climbed above his marker and nodded firmly into the bottom corner for his first of the tournament.
The Saudis twice came close with headers as they battled to find an equaliser, and Hatan Bahbri curled one just off target as he went for the top corner.
Yoshinori Muto's shot was blocked on the hour mark, but most of the chances were falling to Saudi Arabia, who will rue some wasteful finishing.
Bahbri's shot from outside the box crept narrowly wide and Ali Al-Bulaihi powered a strong header over when the ball was knocked back into the area after a free kick.
But, despite a late flurry, it remained another goalless outing for the Saudis, who have not found the net since scoring six goals in their first two group games.
Japan, who claimed their last title in 2011, extended their perfect winning record in the tournament after also winning all three of their group matches.
Meanwhile, defending champions Australia reached the last eight after beating Uzbekistan 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out following a goal-less draw after extra-time.
The Socceroos will meet host United Arab Emirates or Kyrgyzstan in the quarter-finals on Friday.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
ASIAN CUP
Last 16: South Korea v Bahrain (8.50pm), Qatar v Iraq (11.50pm) - Singtel TV Ch115 & StarHub Ch209
Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League Semi Final - Portugal v Switzerland - Estadio do Dragao, Porto, Portugal - June 5, 2019 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their first goal REUTER
Portugal coach says Ronaldo can stay at the top for several
Mbappe reaches Ligue 1 half century as PSG brush Nimes aside
footballsection.com/2019/02/23/mbappe-reaches-ligue-1-half-century-as-psg-brush-nimes-aside/
1:10 PM ET Kylian Mbappe celebrates with fellow goal-scorer Christopher Nkunku. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images) Kylian Mbappe became the youngest player in 45 years to reach 50 Ligue 1 goals as Paris Saint-Germain beat Nimes 3-0 at home on Saturday to stretch their lead at the top to 17 points.
Football news - Kylian Mbappe reaches half century as PSG
Meet Messi, player of FC Barcelona. All the stats, pictures and news about LaLiga Santander.
List of La Liga top scorers - Wikipedia
7 Urgent Issues to Challenge in Your Youth Group! 40 thoughts on " 7 Urgent Issues to That's the kind of faith that will survive the youth's transition
Undisputed 6/7/2019 Live HD - First Things First LIVE | Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe on FS1 The SPLASH BROTHERS! 5,137 watching Live now
Uncompromising teaser: Kevin Harvick, Kyrie Irving, Tim
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is set to seal a money-spinning move to Italian champions Juventus when his contract expires with the Gunners in the summer
Only Ronaldo will earn more: Arsenal star set to cash in with
The Socceroos continue their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ campaign with a pivotal clash against Palestine on Friday night (AEDT) in Dubai. After the opening game loss against Jordan, Graham Arnold's men will be desperate to bounce back with an improved showing against Palestinians. With one game now
Football News -. Read more at straitstimes.com. City's title surely but brighton no pushovers. Published. If Manchester City win at Brighton today, their 14th consecutive Premier League
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Title down to the last game for Man
301-joweb.newscyclecloud.com/sports-racing-guide/english-premier-league-title-down-to-the-last-game-for-man-city-liverpool_164318?profile=1498
Yes, City head into the game as overwhelming favourites with everyone to get the job done despite being away from home, but as Brighton are no pushovers and the likes of Manchester United, Wolves and Everton have felt the full force of Chris Haughton's side at the Amex stadium this season.
Brighton and Hove Albion 1 - 4 Manchester City: Finished
Jun 02, 2019 · Neymar, the Brazilian football star, has denied an accusation that he raped a woman at a luxury hotel in Paris last month, claiming that he is the victim of an extortion attempt.
Neymar rape allegation: PSG player denies Paris hotel claims
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 22, 2019, with the headline 'Title cannot soothe PSG's pain in Europe'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
Title cannot soothe PSG's pain in Europe, Football News & Top
Football: London-born ex-Arsenal reserve Nico Yennaris makes
worldsportstale.com/soccer/football-london-born-ex-arsenal-reserve-nico-yennaris-makes-china-debut-in-2-0-win-over-philippines/
06/07/2019 Comments Off on Football: London-born ex-Arsenal reserve Nico Yennaris makes China debut in 2-0 win over Philippines GUANGZHOU (AFP) - Nico Yennaris became the first foreign-born footballer to represent China when the former Arsenal reserve started in a 2-0 home win over the Philippines on Friday (June 7).
Football: London-born ex-Arsenal reserve Nico Yennaris makes
Kylian Mbappe and Presnel Kimpembe scored with assists from Angel Di Maria as Paris St Germain beat Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford. Manchester United's Champions League hopes were hanging by a thread after a 2-0 home defeat by Paris St Germain in their round-of-16, first leg match on Tuesday, with talisman Paul Pogba sent […]
PSG take charge with 2-0 win at United, Pogba sent off
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has said he considers himself and Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo to be on a different level to the rest of the players in the world. Messi was asked about who he
Top 10 Most Expensive Football Players in the World 2019
SETTING THE TONE. It is my first game and although it is a friendly, it is important for us to play hard and get a good result. TATSUMA YOSHIDA, Singapore coach, wants a positive start to his new job.
How (and Why) to Play Hard to Get | Psychology Today
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen