The second round of the Asian Cup was pretty fun. We lost a couple of big names - South Korea and Iran - and we saw a couple of shootouts. Eight teams remain:
We're going through the final three rounds here today, culminating in the final and the chance to find out who will be the inaugural Asian Cup champion!
Quarter-finals
UAE vs Japan
This is a tasty match-up. UAE have made this year's DWC whilst Japan have only made the play-offs, but it's the East Asian side which are probably the favourites after a very solid tournament showing so far, lead by Spanish World Cup winners Andrés Iniesta and David Villa.
The game started with a cagey opening spell, which was ended in style as UAE took the lead through Omar Abdulrahman (a favourite of mine on PES & FIFA) lashed a shot inside the near post. He had the ball in the net again just before half time, but Japan were spared by the lino's flag.
Japan struggled to get going in the second half, but eventually got the breakthrough when Markel Susaeta - Japan's star player in the group stage - struck again, firing into the far corner from a similar position to Abdulrahman. This proved to be the last serious action of not only the 90 minutes, but the 120, as we went all the way to penalties!
Quarter-finals
UAE vs Japan
This is a tasty match-up. UAE have made this year's DWC whilst Japan have only made the play-offs, but it's the East Asian side which are probably the favourites after a very solid tournament showing so far, lead by Spanish World Cup winners Andrés Iniesta and David Villa.
The game started with a cagey opening spell, which was ended in style as UAE took the lead through Omar Abdulrahman (a favourite of mine on PES & FIFA) lashed a shot inside the near post. He had the ball in the net again just before half time, but Japan were spared by the lino's flag.
Japan struggled to get going in the second half, but eventually got the breakthrough when Markel Susaeta - Japan's star player in the group stage - struck again, firing into the far corner from a similar position to Abdulrahman. This proved to be the last serious action of not only the 90 minutes, but the 120, as we went all the way to penalties!
Both teams scored all five of their regular penalties. Susaeta took the first sudden death kick... and hit it straight at Majed Nasser! This left Keno the chance to win it... and he does exactly that! UAE win a game of little drama to become the first team in the semi-finals! This result also guarantees that a team from the Arabian Peninsula will be in the final. That's because the other quarter-final in this round is between...
Saudi Arabia vs Qatar
Both teams came through tight tussles in the previous round. Saudi Arabia needed extra time to see off Uzbekistan, whilst Qatar rode their luck to beat South Korea on penalties. So they've already seen off the third-ranked Asian team, can they eliminate the second?
Qatar's patient build-up backfired spectacularly in the 17th minute as goalkeeper Saad Al-Sheeb was dispossessed by Bafétimbi Gomis for an easy goal. Incredibly, the exact same thing happened just after the break, allowing Gomis to score his and Saudi Arabia's second! Qatar quickly got one back as Lucas Mendes' cross was headed in by Hernán Pérez. Al-Sheeb restored some credit as he denied Sebastian Giovinco from a one-on-one, and Qatar took full advantage by levelling soon after; a flowing move starting with a goal kick ended with Gabriel Mercado's fizzing low cross was turned in by Kayke! A dramatic twist at the death takes us to extra time!
Saudi Arabia vs Qatar
Both teams came through tight tussles in the previous round. Saudi Arabia needed extra time to see off Uzbekistan, whilst Qatar rode their luck to beat South Korea on penalties. So they've already seen off the third-ranked Asian team, can they eliminate the second?
Qatar's patient build-up backfired spectacularly in the 17th minute as goalkeeper Saad Al-Sheeb was dispossessed by Bafétimbi Gomis for an easy goal. Incredibly, the exact same thing happened just after the break, allowing Gomis to score his and Saudi Arabia's second! Qatar quickly got one back as Lucas Mendes' cross was headed in by Hernán Pérez. Al-Sheeb restored some credit as he denied Sebastian Giovinco from a one-on-one, and Qatar took full advantage by levelling soon after; a flowing move starting with a goal kick ended with Gabriel Mercado's fizzing low cross was turned in by Kayke! A dramatic twist at the death takes us to extra time!
It took just over two minutes of extra time for Qatar to complete their comeback, as Pérez thundered a shot into the top corner with enough force to leave goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe stood still. They were now fully in the ascendancy and found themselves pushing for another as the match wore on. However, this came back to bite them as they pushed too many players forward for a corner, allowing Giovinco to break away. He kept on going... and going... and going. He beat three defenders and side-footed past Al-Sheeb! Parity restored, and with no more drama we went to penalties!
Omar Al-Soma scored the first for Saudi Arabia. Qatar's midfield maestro Gabi went to take his side's first kick... and was denied by Grohe! As both sides scored their next three each, the chance fell to Karim El Ahmadi to put Saudi Arabia through... and he did! A truly epic game, and Saudi Arabia scrape through thanks to a combination of generosity from Al-Sheeb, brilliance from Giovinco and bottle from their penalty takers.
Georgia vs China
China couldn't break through Kazakhstan's defence in the last round, but managed to get through via a shootout. As a result, they are brilliantly poised as their half of the draw opens up. But they do still have to win their games, starting with this one against Georgia. They were fairly comfortable against Hong Kong, but China will be a different proposition.
China stick with Marko Arnautovic up front despite a bad game against Kazakhstan, and he immediately repays the faith by scoring in the 8th minute, albeit in bizarre circumstances; Georgian goalkeeper Roin Kvaskhvadze belts the ball into his face, the ball ricocheting into the goal. With this goal behind them, China assumed control of the game. Felix Bastians doubled the lead 30 minutes later with a low shot to put his team in a commanding position.
Georgia vs China
China couldn't break through Kazakhstan's defence in the last round, but managed to get through via a shootout. As a result, they are brilliantly poised as their half of the draw opens up. But they do still have to win their games, starting with this one against Georgia. They were fairly comfortable against Hong Kong, but China will be a different proposition.
China stick with Marko Arnautovic up front despite a bad game against Kazakhstan, and he immediately repays the faith by scoring in the 8th minute, albeit in bizarre circumstances; Georgian goalkeeper Roin Kvaskhvadze belts the ball into his face, the ball ricocheting into the goal. With this goal behind them, China assumed control of the game. Felix Bastians doubled the lead 30 minutes later with a low shot to put his team in a commanding position.
Georgia showed more resolve in the second half, at least until Arnautovic grabbed his second goal in the 62nd minute, volleying home a corner. From there, Georgia collapsed, and further goals from Marek Hamsik, Hulk and Arnautovic - completing his hat-trick - sewed up a resounding 6-0 win for the tournament favourites.
Malaysia vs Azerbaijan
These two sides would be relatively unlikely semi-finalists, but one of them will be China's next opponent. Malaysia claimed a very good win over a strong Iranian team, whilst Azerbaijan thumped Syria 4-0, the biggest win of the second round.
It took exactly 30 seconds for Malaysia to open the scoring, as Gonzalo Cabrera elegantly guided Leandro Velázquez's cross into the bottom corner! Both sides had half-chances, but neither went particularly close to converting, as Malaysia maintained the lead until the break.
Azerbaijan stepped up the pressure in the second half, starting with a Dani Quintana header just over the bar. And it eventually lead to the breakthrough, as Quintana's cross was turned in by Jaime Romero. The game fell into a cagey spell. In the 86th minute Azerbaijan's Emin Mahmudov picked the ball up 30 yards out, drove forwards and belted the ball into the top corner! Malaysia had offered very little since half time, and now they had to find a goal in 5 minutes. All looked lost until the 95th minute, but Velázquez managed to pull something out of the hat! Unfortunately, it was a second yellow card, as Malaysia limped out of the competition.
Malaysia vs Azerbaijan
These two sides would be relatively unlikely semi-finalists, but one of them will be China's next opponent. Malaysia claimed a very good win over a strong Iranian team, whilst Azerbaijan thumped Syria 4-0, the biggest win of the second round.
It took exactly 30 seconds for Malaysia to open the scoring, as Gonzalo Cabrera elegantly guided Leandro Velázquez's cross into the bottom corner! Both sides had half-chances, but neither went particularly close to converting, as Malaysia maintained the lead until the break.
Azerbaijan stepped up the pressure in the second half, starting with a Dani Quintana header just over the bar. And it eventually lead to the breakthrough, as Quintana's cross was turned in by Jaime Romero. The game fell into a cagey spell. In the 86th minute Azerbaijan's Emin Mahmudov picked the ball up 30 yards out, drove forwards and belted the ball into the top corner! Malaysia had offered very little since half time, and now they had to find a goal in 5 minutes. All looked lost until the 95th minute, but Velázquez managed to pull something out of the hat! Unfortunately, it was a second yellow card, as Malaysia limped out of the competition.
Semi-final
UAE vs Saudi Arabia
These two sides both provided players for the Middle East side which performed poorly in the inaugural DWC. Since then, Saudi Arabia have been consistent in qualifying for the finals whilst UAE have only just got themselves into gear this year by qualifying, and have followed it up with a semi-final appearance here. Can they mark themselves as a major player in Asian DWC football?
UAE were pushed onto the back foot immediately, and were fortunate not to go behind in the 6th minute as Sebastian Giovinco's shot from 6 yards was denied by a spectacular full-length dive by Nasser. However, Saudi Arabia didn't have to wait long for the lead, as in the 12th minute Somália's break down the right and low cross found Gomis who side-footed it into the bottom corner! Saudi Arabia continued to control the game. Gomis nearly added another on the half hour mark with a header from a corner. 5 minutes later Giovinco went on a solo run, starting in his own half, past a disorganised UAE defence, getting through on goal and beating Nasser to double the lead!
UAE vs Saudi Arabia
These two sides both provided players for the Middle East side which performed poorly in the inaugural DWC. Since then, Saudi Arabia have been consistent in qualifying for the finals whilst UAE have only just got themselves into gear this year by qualifying, and have followed it up with a semi-final appearance here. Can they mark themselves as a major player in Asian DWC football?
UAE were pushed onto the back foot immediately, and were fortunate not to go behind in the 6th minute as Sebastian Giovinco's shot from 6 yards was denied by a spectacular full-length dive by Nasser. However, Saudi Arabia didn't have to wait long for the lead, as in the 12th minute Somália's break down the right and low cross found Gomis who side-footed it into the bottom corner! Saudi Arabia continued to control the game. Gomis nearly added another on the half hour mark with a header from a corner. 5 minutes later Giovinco went on a solo run, starting in his own half, past a disorganised UAE defence, getting through on goal and beating Nasser to double the lead!
UAE continued to look flat up front. Maicon nearly headed in a third for Saudi Arabia, whilst Nasser's fingertips denied Giuliano. In the dying moments of the game Giovinco reenacted his dribble for his earlier goal, but this time Nasser denied him. Nonetheless, Saudi Arabia came through a potentially-tricky game with an extremely comfortable 2-0 win, with each of their strikers scoring.
China vs Azerbaijan
As soon as the draw for the knockout stages was made it looked like China had a good draw to get to the final. Azerbaijan have looked good in the knockout stages so far, but can they take that up a level to stop China? The two met in the final round in Asian DWC qualifying this year, with China winning both encounters.
Arnautovic looked to be picking up where he left off against Georgia as he met a corner with a sweet first-time shot, but Maqsim Medzedev produced a brilliant block on the line. This quickly became a game of attack vs defence, with Azerbaijan getting bodies in the way of Chinese shots. However, the pressure finally told, and again it came from a corner - Hulk's cross guided in by Yannick Carrasco for the opening goal! Arnautovic had a golden chance to score another within a minute, as his own shot rebounded back to him - unmarked - 8 yards out, but he fired straight at former Stoke teammate Asmir Begovic. Azerbaijan were able to cling onto just the single-goal deficit until the break.
It took just 5 minutes of the second period for China to extend their lead. Once again, it came from a Hulk set piece. This time it was his free kick that was met by Kim Min-Jae, who headed across goal where Arnautovic was waiting to finally get his goal. Like Saudi Arabia, China were untroubled at their own end of the pitch, as they continued to push for more. And they did, as Hulk got a deserved goal when he headed in Bastians' cross, and the German left back got his second in two games with a low shot to wrap up a 4-0 win.
China vs Azerbaijan
As soon as the draw for the knockout stages was made it looked like China had a good draw to get to the final. Azerbaijan have looked good in the knockout stages so far, but can they take that up a level to stop China? The two met in the final round in Asian DWC qualifying this year, with China winning both encounters.
Arnautovic looked to be picking up where he left off against Georgia as he met a corner with a sweet first-time shot, but Maqsim Medzedev produced a brilliant block on the line. This quickly became a game of attack vs defence, with Azerbaijan getting bodies in the way of Chinese shots. However, the pressure finally told, and again it came from a corner - Hulk's cross guided in by Yannick Carrasco for the opening goal! Arnautovic had a golden chance to score another within a minute, as his own shot rebounded back to him - unmarked - 8 yards out, but he fired straight at former Stoke teammate Asmir Begovic. Azerbaijan were able to cling onto just the single-goal deficit until the break.
It took just 5 minutes of the second period for China to extend their lead. Once again, it came from a Hulk set piece. This time it was his free kick that was met by Kim Min-Jae, who headed across goal where Arnautovic was waiting to finally get his goal. Like Saudi Arabia, China were untroubled at their own end of the pitch, as they continued to push for more. And they did, as Hulk got a deserved goal when he headed in Bastians' cross, and the German left back got his second in two games with a low shot to wrap up a 4-0 win.
Final
Saudi Arabia vs China
So, as with the parallel tournaments in North America, Oceania and South America, this tournament will be contested by the two highest-ranked teams going into the competition (Africa is the exception). The only history these two teams have is a clash in last year's qualifying tournament, where they won one game each. This should be a close game, although with both sides being top-heavy talent-wise, this could go any way.
China are without Paulinho for the final, after he picked up an injury against Azerbaijan, so Mousa Dembélé gets his first start of the tournament.
Saudi Arabia vs China
So, as with the parallel tournaments in North America, Oceania and South America, this tournament will be contested by the two highest-ranked teams going into the competition (Africa is the exception). The only history these two teams have is a clash in last year's qualifying tournament, where they won one game each. This should be a close game, although with both sides being top-heavy talent-wise, this could go any way.
China are without Paulinho for the final, after he picked up an injury against Azerbaijan, so Mousa Dembélé gets his first start of the tournament.
China look a bit better on the ball, but the first chance comes after a slack pass from Bastians is intercepted by Giovinco. Quick passing between him, Giuliano and Gomis releases Giovinco but Wang Dalei is out quickly to smother the ball. Dalei gets the ball up to Hulk, but Lucas Lima dispossesses him, and gets it forward. Giovinco's ball into the box is intercepted by Min-Jae, but his touch is poor and Gomis steals in to poke Saudi Arabia ahead!
Saudi Arabia get into a good position in the 27th minute as Giuliano robs Hamsik, but the move breaks down and Carrasco is given plenty of space to run into. He brings it into the box but can only find the side netting with his effort. In the 44th minute a China attack flounders and Saudi Arabia are away quickly. China aren't protecting their two CBs well enough, and it allows Gomis to play in Giovinco, but he is again denied by Dalei. But just before the break Giovinco finally gets the ball into the back of the net! El Ahmadi's fine pass allowed him to beat Dalei... but this time the flag is up! We get to half time with Saudi Arabia very good value for their 1-0 lead.
China make the obvious change, which is to replace Oscar with Javier Mascherano and switch to a 4-3-3 formation. Two minutes into the half Hulk picks up the ball just inside Saudi Arabia's half, on the right touchline. He somehow manages to run around the opposition's clustered midfield so that he is on the left side of the pitch, 30 yards from goal, allowing him a shot at goal, but it's just over the bar.
In the 59th minute Saudi Arabia are forced into their first change as Souza picks up a knock. Gustavo Cuéllar comes on for the first time since his red card against Uzbekistan. It fails to destabilise Saudi Arabia, who hold China at arm's length for the remainder of the game - the final whistle goes and Saudi Arabia claim the Asian Championship!
In the 59th minute Saudi Arabia are forced into their first change as Souza picks up a knock. Gustavo Cuéllar comes on for the first time since his red card against Uzbekistan. It fails to destabilise Saudi Arabia, who hold China at arm's length for the remainder of the game - the final whistle goes and Saudi Arabia claim the Asian Championship!
Naturally, since I built up both sides' attacking ability, this ended in a single-goal game. Anyway, it's not the tournament favourites China who claim victory, but Saudi Arabia! They slowly improved with each knockout game, and will take a lot of confidence into the DWC from that.
That's five of six continental championships done, just leaving the European Championships. Unlike in real life, we don't have to postpone that for a year. The group stage of that tournament will be published soon!
That's five of six continental championships done, just leaving the European Championships. Unlike in real life, we don't have to postpone that for a year. The group stage of that tournament will be published soon!