African Nations Cup: Leopards, National Thunder Advance To Semifinals

The quarterfinal round of the African Nations Cup commenced on Saturday with two games played at Bata, Equatorial Guinea.

In the opener, Dieumerci Mbokani scored twice (65', 90'+1) as the Democratic Republic of the Congo erased a two-goal deficit and upended the Republic of Congo 4-2.

In the nightcap, Javier (Don't Call Me Rocky) Balboa scored twice (90'+3, 102') as hosts Equatorial Guinea rescued themselves at the end of regulation and knocked off Tunisia 2-1 in overtime.

SOCCEROORS DEFEAT SOUTH KOREA IN OT, WIN ASIAN CUP TITLE; WILL PLAY IN '17 CONFEDERATIONS CUP

At Sydney, Australia:
 
James Troisi scored the winning goal in the 105th minute on Saturday as Australia defeated South Korea 2-1 in overtime to win the AFC Asian Cup championship and a berth in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, set to take place in Russia. Here are the happy Socceroos with the Asian Cup itself following their exciting triumph.

Getty Images photo by Ryan Pierse

AFC Asian Cup: UAE Top Iraq In Third-Place Match

At Newcastle, Australia:


Ahmad Khalil scored twice (16', 51') while Ali Mabkhout's successful penalty kick in the 57th minute proved to be the game winner as the United Arab Emirates overcame a 2-1 halftime deficit and upended Iraq 3-2 in Friday's third-place playoff in the AFC Asian Cup.

African Nations Cup: National Elephants Win Draw Of Lots, Get Crack At Black Stars

At Malabo, Equatorial Guinea:

Guinea won the draw of lots with Mali at the Hotel Malabo on Thursday and will face Ghana in the quarterfinal round of the African Nations Cup.

African Nations Cup: Elephants Blank Cameroon To Advance To Quarterfinals; 1-1 Draw Forces Draw Of Lots Between Guinea And Mali

Groups-stage play in the African Nations Cup concluded with two games contested in Group D in Equatorial Guinea.

At Malabo:

Mark Alain Gradel scored the only goal of the match in the 36th minute as Ivory Coast defeated Cameroon and won Group D and a berth in the quarterfinal round.

At Mongomo:

Modibo Maiga's equalizer in the 47th minute lifted Mali to a 1-1 stalemate with Guinea, forcing a draw of lots set for Thursday at Mongomo for the right to enter the tournament's quarterfinal round.  Kevin Constant successfully converted a penalty kick in the 15th minute for the Guineans. 

FINAL GROUP D STANDINGS:

1. Ivory Coast (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
2. Guinea (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
    Mali (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Cameroon (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 2)

Ivory Coast advanced to the quarterfinal round.  Guinea and Mali, tied on head-to-head record, overall goal difference, and overall goals scored, will take part in a drawing of lots on Thursday for the right to advance to the knockout stage.

Here are the matchups for the quarterfinal round:

Saturday:

At Bata:

Republic of Congo vs. Democratic Republic of Congo

Tunisia vs. Equatorial Guinea



Sunday:

At Malabo:

Ivory Coast vs. Algeria

At Ghana vs. Guinea or Mali

African Nations Cup: Black Stars, Desert Foxes Advance To Quarterfinals

Two games were played in Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday as Group C action in the African Nations Cup concluded.

At Mongomo:

John Boye (73') and Andre Ayew (83') provided the scoring as Ghana came from behind to upend South Africa 2-1 and gain a berth in the knockout stage.

At Malabo:

Riyad Mahrez (11') and Nabil Bentaleb (82') each produced a goal as Algeria blanked Senegal 2-0, jumping the West African country to claim a berth in the quarterfinal round.

FINAL GROUP C STANDINGS:

1. Ghana (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
2. Algeria (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
3. Senegal (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 4)
4. South Africa (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)

Ghana and Algeria advanced to the quarterfinal round.

AFC Asian Cup: It's Socceroos vs. South Korea For The Marbles

At Newcastle, Australia:

Trent Sainsbury (3') and Jason Davidson (14') each scored a goal in the opening quarter-hour on Tuesday as host nation Australia blanked the United Arab Emirates 2-0 to reach Saturday's final of the AFC Asian Cup.  

The Socceroos will face South Korea at Sydney on Saturday with the winner advancing to the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, set to take place in Russia.

The UAE will take on Iraq in Friday's third-place contest at Newcastle.

African Nations Cup: Tunisia, DR Congo Advance To Quarterfinals

Two games were played on Monday as Group B action in the African Nations Cup concluded in Equatorial Guinea.

At Ebebiyin:

A 0-0 draw between the Cape Verde Islands and Zambia saw both squads eliminated from the tournament.

At Bata:

Jeremy Bokila equalized in the 66th minute as the Democratic Republic of the Congo gained a 1-1 draw with Tunisia as both teams advanced to the knockout stage.  Ahmed Akaichi scored in the 31st minute for the Eagles of Carthage.

FINAL GROUP B STANDINGS:

1. Tunisia (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
2. Democratic Republic of the Congo (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
3. Cape Verde Islands (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Zambia (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 2)

Tunisia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo advanced to the quarterfinal round.

AFC Asian Cup: Taegeuk Warriors Blank Iraq, Advance To Final

At Sydney, Australia:

Lee Jung-hyup (20') and Kim Young-gwon (50') delivered the goals on Monday as South Korea shut out Iraq 2-0 in a semifinal-round match in the AFC Asian Cup.  The Taegeuk Warriors advanced to Saturday's final in Sydney and will face the winner of Tuesday's Australia-United Arab Emirates match. 

The Iraqis will play in Friday's third-place contest at Newcastle against the loser of the Socceroos-UAE contest.

African Nations Cup: Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea Advance To Quarterfinals

Two games were played on Sunday as Group A action in the African Nations Cup concluded in Equatorial Guinea.
At Bata:

Javier Balboa (PK-55') and Ivan Ivan Salvador (86') delivered the goals as hosts Equatorial Guinea locked up a berth in the quarterfinal round with their 2-0 blanking of Gabon.

At Ebebiyin:

Fabrice Ondama scored the winning goal in the 87th minute as the Republic of Congo clinched top spot in Group A as well as a quarterfinal-round berth with their 2-1 victory over Burkina Faso.

FINAL GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. Republic of Congo (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 7)
2. Equatorial Guinea (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 5)
3. Gabon (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
4. Burkina Faso (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)

The Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea advanced to the quarterfinal round.

African Nations Cup

Two games in Group D of the African Nations Cup took place on Saturday in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea as the second cycle of group-stage contests concluded.

In the opener, Mark Gradel's equalizer in the 87th minute lifted Ivory Coast to a 1-1 draw with Mali, whose Bakary Sako scored in the seventh minute.

In the nightcap, Ibrahima Toure's equalizer in the 42nd minute lifted Guinea to a 1-1 draw with Cameroon, whose goal came in the 13th minute from Benjamin Moukandjo.

GROUP D STANDINGS:

1. Cameroon (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
    Guinea (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
    Ivory Coast (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
    Mali (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
 

African Nations Cup: Ghana Top Algeria; South Africa and Senegal Draw

Group C play in the African Nations Cup continued with two games played at Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea.

In the opener, Asamoah Gyan scored the only goal of the match in the second minute of second-half stoppage time as Ghana defeated Algeria 1-0.

In the nightcap, Kara Mbodj's equalizer in the 60th minute lifted Senegal to a 1-1 draw with South Africa as the Lions of Teranga moved to the top of the Group C standings with one match remaining.  Oupa Manyisa scored for Bafana Bafana in the 47th minute

GROUP C STANDINGS:

1. Senegal (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
2. Ghana (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
3. Algeria (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
4. South Africa (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 1)

Asian Cup: Iraq And UAE Win PK Thrillers To Advance To Semis

Two games were contested on Friday as the quarterfinal round of the AFC Asian Cup concluded in Australia.

At Canberra:

After each team scored once in regulation and twice in overtime, Waleed Salem Al-Lami, Dhurgham Ismail, Ali Adnan Kadhim, Younis Mahmoud, Yaser Kasim, Marwan Hussein, and Salam Shaker (with the winner) converted their spot kicks as Iraq won the penalty-kick shootout 7-6 over Iran and advanced to next Monday's semifinal at Sydney against South Korea.

At Sydney:

After a 1-1 regulation draw and 30 scoreless overtime minutes, Omar Abdulrahman, Ali Mabkhout, Majed Hassan, Habib Fardan, and Mohamed Ismail Ahmed Ismail all converted their spot kicks as the United Arab Emirates knocked out out Japan 5-4 in the penalty-kick showdown and earned a Tuesday semifinal encounter with hosts Australia in Newcastle. 

African Nations Cup: Tunisia Defeat Zambia, Move To Top Of Group B; Goose Eggs For Cape Verde Islands And Democratic Republic of the Congo

Group B play in the African Nations Cup resumed on Thursday with two games, both played at Ebebiyin, Equatorial Guinea.

In the opener, Ahmed Akaichi (53') and Yassine Chikhaoui (69') provided the scoring as Tunisia came from behind to upend Zambia 2-1.

In the nightcap, the Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo battle to a 0-0 deadlock.

GROUP B STANDINGS:

1. Tunisia (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
2. Cape Verde Islands (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
    Democratic Republic of the Congo (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
4. Zambia (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)

Asian Cup: Socceroos, South Korea Advance To Semis

The quarterfinal round of the AFC Asian Cup commenced with two games, both played in Australia, on Thursday.

At Melbourne:

Son Heung-min scored twice in overtime (104', 120') as South Korea defeated Uzbekistan 2-0.

At Brisbane:

Tim Cahill provided both goals (48', 65') in Australia's 2-0 blanking of China.

African Nations Cup: Prince's Goal Carries Republic of Congo Past Gabon; Equatorial Guinea Held To Scoreless Draw By Burkina Faso

The African Nations Cup's group stage began its' second cycle of games on Wednesday with two Group A contests played at Bata, Equatorial Guinea.

In the opener, Burkina Faso held hosts Equatorial Guinea to a 0-0 stalemate.

In the nightcap, Prince Oniangue scored the only goal of the match in the 48th minute as the Republic of Congo moved to the top of the Group A standings with their 1-0 victory over Gabon.

GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. Republic of Congo (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
2. Gabon (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Equatorial Guinea (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
4. Burkina Faso (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 1)

2015 Asian Cup: Final Group-Stage Standings

On Tuesday, group-stage action in the AFC Asian Cup, being held this year in Australia, concluded.  Here are the final standings, with the knockout stage set to begin on Thursday.

GROUP A:

1. South Korea (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
2. Australia (GP: 3; GD: +6; PTS: 6)
3. Oman (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 3)
4. Kuwait (GP: 3; GD: -5; PTS: 0)

South Korea and host nation Australia advanced to the quarterfinal round.

Friday, January 9:

At Melbourne:

Australia 4, Kuwait 1



Saturday, January 10:

At Canberra:

South Korea 1, Oman 0



Tuesday, January 13:

At Canberra:

South Korea 1, Kuwait 0

At Sydney:

Australia 4, Oman 0



Saturday, January 17: 

At Brisbane:

South Korea 1, Australia 0

At Newcastle, New South Wales:

Oman 1, Kuwait 0



GROUP B:

1. China (Mainland) (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
2. Uzbekistan (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
3. Saudi Arabia (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. North Korea (GP: 3; GD: -5; PTS: 0)

China and Uzbekistan advanced to the quarterfinal round.

Saturday, January 10:

At Sydney:

Uzbekistan 1, North Korea 0

At Brisbane:

China 1, Saudi Arabia



Wednesday, January 14:

At Melbourne:

Saudi Arabia 4, North Korea 1

At Brisbane:

China 2, Uzbekistan 1



Sunday, January 18:

At Melbourne:

Uzbekistan 3, Saudi Arabia 1

At Canberra:

China 2, North Korea 1



GROUP C:

1. Iran (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 9)
2. United Arab Emirates (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
3. Bahrain (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 3)
4. Qatar (GP: 3; GD: -5; PTS: 0)

Iran and the United Arab Emirates qualified for the quarterfinal round.

Sunday, January 11:

At Canberra:

United Arab Emirates 4, Qatar 1


At Melbourne:

Iran 2, Bahrain 0



Thursday, January 15:

At Canberra:

United Arab Emirates 2, Bahrain 1

At Sydney:

Iran 1, Qatar 0



Monday, January 19:

At Brisbane:

Iran 1, United Arab Emirates 0

At Sydney:

Bahrain 2, Qatar 1



GROUP D:

1. Japan (GP: 3; GD: +7; PTS: 9)
2. Iraq (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
3. Jordan (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
4. Palestine (GP: 3; GD: -10; PTS: 0)

Japan and Iraq qualified for the quarterfinal round.

Monday, January 12:

At Newcastle, New South Wales:

Japan 4, Palestine 0

At Brisbane:

Iraq 1, Jordan 0



Friday, January 16:

At Melbourne:

Jordan 5, Palestine 1

At Brisbane:

Japan 1, Iraq 0



Tuesday, January 20:

At Melbourne:

Japan 2, Jordan 0

At Canberra:

Iraq 2, Palestine 0



Here are the matchups for the quarterfinal round:

Thursday:

At Melbourne:

South Korea vs. Uzbekistan

At Brisbane:

China vs. Australia

Friday:

At Canberra:

Iran vs. Iraq

At Sydney:

Japan vs. United Arab Emirates



The semifinal round will take place with games next Monday and Tuesday.

Next Monday:

At Sydney:

South Korea-Uzbekistan winner vs. Iran Iraq winner

Next Tuesday:

At Newcastle:

China-Australia winner vs. Japan-UAE winner



The semifinal winners will face off in the final at Sydney on Saturday.  The winner will play in the 2017 Confederations Cup to be played in Russia.

African Nations Cup: Two 1-1 Draws

Two games were played at Malabo, Equatorial Guinea were played on Tuesday in Group D as the first cycle of African Nations Cup group-stage games concluded.

In the opener, Seydou Doumbia equalized in the 72nd minute to carry Ivory Coast to a 1-1 draw with Guinea.  Mohamed Yattara scored for the National Elephants at 36 minutes.

In the nightcap,  Amboise Oyongo scored in the 83rd minute to carry Cameroon to a 1-1 draw with Mali. Sambou Yatabare scored in the 71st minute for the Eagles. 

GROUP D STANDINGS:

1. Cameroon (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
    Guinea (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
    Ivory Coast (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
    Mali (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
    

African Nations Cup: Senegal, Algeria Open Group C Play With Wins In Mongomo

Action from Group C of the African Nations Cup opened on Monday with two games contested at Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea.

In the opener, Moussa Sow scored the winning goal in the third minute of second-half stoppage time as Senegal knocked off Ghana 2-1.

In the nightcap, Faouzi Ghoulam scored what proved to be the game winner in the 72nd minute to help carry Algeria to a 3-1 victory over South Africa.

GROUP C STANDINGS:

1. Algeria (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
2. Senegal (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Ghana (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. South Africa (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)

African Nations Cup: Two 1-1 Draw Sunday

Two games were played in the African Nations Cup on Sunday, both in Group B, both Ebebiyin, Equatorial Guinea.

In the opening match, Yannick Bolasie's equalizer in the 65th minute lifted the Democratic Republic of Congo to a 1-1 draw with Zambia.  Given Singuluma scored for the Bullets in the second minute.

In the nightcap, Heldon Ramos delivered a successful penalty kick in the 77th minute to carry the Cape Verde Islands to a 1-1 draw with Tunisia, whose goal came in the 70th minute from Mohamed Ali Manser.

GROUP B STANDINGS:

1. Cape Verde Islands (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
    Democratic Republic of the Congo (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
    Tunisia (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
    Zambia (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)

African Nations Cup: Hosts Held To Opening 1-1 Draw; Gabon Register 2-0 Win Over Burkina Faso

The 2015 edition of the African Nations Cup commenced on Saturday with two games held in Equatorial Guinea.

Group A:

At Bata:

In the first of two Saturday games at Bata Stadium, Thievy Bifouma's equalizer in the 87th minute lifted Congo-Brazzaville (or Republic of Congo) to a 1-1 draw with hosts Equatorial Guinea.  Emilio Nsue scored for the hosts in the 16th minute.

At Bata:

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (19') and Malick Evouna (72') delivered the scoring as Gabon blanked Burkina Faso 2-0 in Saturday's second match at Bata Stadium.

GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. Gabon (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
2. Equatoria Guinea (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
3. Republic of Congo (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
4. Burkina Faso (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)(

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