Qatar beat Uzbekistan on penalties to advance to Asian Cup semifinal

Host nation won quarterfinal tie 3-2 on penalties after 1-1 draw at Al Bayt Stadium

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Qatar defeated Uzbekistan 3-2 on penalties to advance to the Asian Cup semifinal on Saturday.

Qatar broke the deadlock with an own goal from Utkir Yusupov in the 27th minute but Uzbekistan leveled the game when Odiljon Hamrobekov made a close-range finish in the 59th minute.

The match ended 1-1 after normal time and extra time at the Al Bayt Stadium.

Akram Afif, Sultan Al Brake, and Pedro Miguel scored for Qatar in the penalty shootout, while Otabek Shukurov and Shokhboz Umarov converted their penalties successfully for Uzbekistan.

Earlier, Iran eliminated Japan with a late goal at Education City Stadium.

Hidemasa Morita scored the opening in the 28th minute for the Japanese team while Iran leveled the game with Mohammad Mohebi in the 55th minute.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s stoppage-time goal led Iran to the last four in the Asian Cup.

- Semifinal Fixture

Tuesday:

Jordan vs. South Korea (Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium)

Wednesday:

Iran vs. Qatar (Al Thumama Stadium)

Kaynak: