2019 Asian Cup Semifinal Analysis
January 28, 2019
The final four teams of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 semi-final have been confirmed. The impressive host nation the United Arab Emirates will be joined by last winners Japan, Islamic Republic of Iran and for the first time, Qatar will be in the semifinals.
These four teams who are in the semifinal have all shown their quality with brilliant displays and hard fought wins. The stage is now set for two mouth-watering clashed in the semifinal. The two winners from each match will progress to the AFC Asian Cup Final at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City Stadium, which will take place on February 1. Here is an analysis of the 2019 Asian Cup semifinal matches.
Iran Vs Japan
Japan and Iran were the first two teams to book their place in the Asian Cup semifinals. Four-time Asian Cup champions, Japan defeated Vietnam 1-0 in their quarterfinal match, while three-time Asian Cup winners Iran easily won China 3-0.
These two teams are unbeaten so far in the tournament.
Japanese midfielder Ritsu Doan score a penalty in the 57th minute to give Japan its fifth win in five games and it is interesting to know that all their wins have been by a one-goal margin. Ritsu Doan and Yuya Osako are Japan’s top scorers, both on two goals. This shows that Japan has been having difficulty in scoring, but they do have a resilient defense.
Iran, on the other hand, has been scoring for fun, with Sardar Azmoun, the team’s top scorer with four goals. Iran coach, former Real Madrid boss Carlos Queiroz has a well-drilled team who can defend well and attack massively. This game will be difficult for both sides.
The United Arab Emirates Vs Qatar
Qatar reached the semi-finals of the Asian Cup for the first time after a cracking goal by midfielder Abdelaziz Hatim knocked out South Korea 1-0 on Friday. While The UAE defeated defending champions Australia by a lone goal after striker Ali Mabkhout tapped in from close range.
The game will be a politically charged encounter, because it will be the first time the two Gulf nations will meet since the start of the major diplomatic crisis that occurred in June 2017.
Qatar boasts of the tournament’s leading goalscorer in Almoez Ali. The UAE will be banking on home support and their mean defence.
Who do you think will progress to the finals?
This article is brought to us by our Sports Writers Club resident columnist – Collins Michael Nwokolo. Follow him on Twitter and Pinterest.
