Japan, Australia, UAE qualify for AFC quarter-finals

ABU DHABI, Jan 21 (KUNA) -- Japan, Australia and the United Arab Emirates qualified on Monday for the quarterfinal of the 17th Asian Nations Cup (UAE 2019) after defeating in Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan respectively.
Japan stayed on track for a record-extending fifth title after defeating Saudi Arabia 1-0 in their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Round of 16 tie at the Sharjah Stadium on Monday.
Defender Takehiro Tomiyasu's thumping header in the 20th minute set up an enticing encounter with Vietnam, who beat Jordan on penalties, in the quarter-finals on Thursday.
In the second game, Australia ousted Uzbekistan after wining 4-2 in a penalty shootout.
Maty Ryan was the hero for Australia as the defending champions edged through to the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Neither side had been able to find the back of the net during the previous 120 minutes, leaving Ryan to provide the heroics for his team, who now face the United Arab Emirates - who defeated Kyrgyz Republic 3-2 in their last 16 tie - in the next round.
In the third game, host nation the United Arab Emirates kept alive their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 title ambitions, as an extra-time Ahmed Khalil penalty helped secure a hard-fought 3-2 win over Kyrgyz Republic and a place in the quarter-finals.
In the quarter-finals, Japan will play against Vietnam and China against Iran while the UAE against Australia. (end) sbu.ibi