News / Sports

2019 Asian Cup: Japan, Oman advance to knockout stage

Thursday, 17 January 2019 10:25 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 17 January 2019 10:30 PM ]

(Photo by AFP)

In the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Japan have topped group F after coming from behind to beat Uzbekistan 2-1.

Eldor Shomurodov put Uzbekistan in front after surging past a couple of Japanese defenders to deliver the ball into the net. The Blue Samurai then equalized in the blink of an eye, thanks to a header by Yoshinori Muto.

Japanese players celebrate after winning the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group F football match between Japan and Uzbekistan at the Khalifa bin Zayed stadium in al-Ain on January 17, 2019. (AFP)

After the break, Japan added to their pressure and managed to grab the lead on the hour mark when Tsukasa Shiotani unleashed an unstoppable screamer into the corner of the net. With the win, Japan moved up to top of group F, while sending Hector Cooper’s men to meet with Australia in the round of 16.

Meanwhile in the other Group F clash, Oman defeated Turkmenistan 3-1 to qualify into the next round of the tournament.

Oman took the lead midway through the 1st half through Ahmed Al Mahaijri lovely curler. The Turkmens, however, managed to level the match before the break but Oman snapped out of the undesired draw when Muhsen Al-Ghassani converted from close range in the 85th minute, before Mohammed Al-Musallami sealed the victory by adding the third in stoppage time.

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