Doha (AFP) – Asian Cup debutants Tajikistan celebrated making more history as they stunned the United Arab Emirates on penalties to join Australia in the quarter-finals on Sunday.
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After the match ended 1-1 in Doha after 120 tense minutes, Tajikistan won a dramatic 5-3 shootout with Alisher Shukurov holding his nerve with a last-gasp spot-kick.
The Central Asians, ranked 106th in the world and in their first Asian Cup, will now face either Jordan or 2007 champions Iraq in the last eight.
Goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov made the decisive save from Caio Canedo with the UAE’s second penalty of the process, and his teammates did the rest.
Tajikistan’s charismatic Croatian coach Petar Segert called his team “the dark horses of the tournament” and said “nobody knows how far we can go”.
“I have no limits for the players because every game they surprise me again,” he said.
“My next dream is to go to the next round again. I think in Tajikistan tonight, nobody will sleep.”
Tajikistan looked set for a famous victory in normal time when Vakhdat Khanonov headed home in the 30th minute, only for Khalifa Al-Hamadi to equalize in the 95th minute to send the game into extra time.
“I dedicate this goal to my brother who died,” said defender Khanonov.
“He is not with us and cannot see my happiness.”
The United Arab Emirates have reached the semi-finals at the last two Asian Cups, but Paulo Bento’s side went down to a team ranked more than 40 places below them.
Tajikistan drew with China and beat Lebanon in the first round to qualify as Group A runners-up.
They will find out who they will play in the quarter-finals when Iraq face Jordan in the round of 16 on Monday.
Palestine will make their debut in the knockout rounds when they face host and holders Qatar in the second game of the day on Monday.
Australia dismantled Indonesia
Australia set up a tasty clash with South Korea or Saudi Arabia in the last eight with a 4-0 win over a spirited but limited Indonesia.
The Socceroos are trying to win the title for a second time and were again solid rather than spectacular in getting the job done in an ugly encounter.
Two first-half goals, an own goal saved in the 12th minute and a diving header from Martin Boyle on the stroke of half-time put Graham Arnold’s side in front.
With Indonesia off the gas at the end, Craig Goodwin volleyed in an 89th-minute rebound to make it 3-0 and defender Harry Souttar made it four in stoppage time.
The score flattered Australia, but it was their third clean sheet in four matches and they have conceded just once.
“Indonesia gave us a hard time, physically they were very big and strong,” said coach Arnold.
“We told the boys to be ready for a fight and a physical battle.”
Indonesia made their first appearance in the knockout rounds of the competition and were ranked 121 places below their opponents.
They had just one shot on target all game but their South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong felt the 4-0 was harsh on his side, which gave Australia a nervous moment or two in the first half.
“If we hadn’t conceded that unlucky first goal that was disallowed, maybe things would have been different,” he said.
“We didn’t play badly and regardless of the four goals, I want to thank my players.”
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