Iraq faces Jordan in Asian Cup last 16 in Qatar
As the Asian Cup enters the knockout rounds from Sunday, the tournament’s intensity amplifies, featuring prominent clashes. South Korea, led by Jurgen Klinsmann, faces Saudi Arabia after a 3-3 draw with Malaysia, while Palestine confronts hosts Qatar. The tournament, originally comprising 24 teams, has now narrowed down to 16, making predictions for the eventual winner on February 10 increasingly challenging.
Japan, initially favored to win their fifth title, entered the knockout phase as group runners-up behind Iraq, who impressed by defeating Japan 2-1. Iraq, along with Iran and Qatar, are the only teams to have won all three games in the first round, setting the stage for a compelling encounter against Jordan. Meanwhile, South Korea, aiming for their first Asian Cup victory in 64 years, anticipates a tough battle against Saudi Arabia.
Highlighting the unpredictability of the tournament, Klinsmann emphasized that every team possesses tactical prowess, making them formidable opponents. Son Heung-min, South Korea’s captain, acknowledged the significance of their drawn match with Malaysia as a “big wake-up call.”
In other matchups, Japan faces Bahrain, and despite initial expectations, they have not fully met the tournament’s demands. The reigning champions, Qatar, boasting an impressive Group A performance, are set to face Palestine, who secured their first-ever victory in the competition by defeating Hong Kong 3-0. Palestinian captain Musab Al-Battat expressed pride in fulfilling “a promise to the Palestinian people” by reaching the knockout rounds amid challenging circumstances.
As the knockout phase commences, Australia confronts Indonesia, while the United Arab Emirates takes on tournament debutants Tajikistan. Indonesia, ranked 146th globally, emerges as the lowest-ranked team remaining, having advanced with one win and two defeats in the group stage. The competition’s dynamics promise further thrilling encounters as teams vie for a coveted spot in the last eight.
