AFC Asian Cup: Oman Advances To Knockout Stage As Group-Stage Play Ends

Four games were played in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday as AFC Asian Cup group-stage play concluded.

GROUP E:

At Abu Dhabi:

Almoez Ali scored both goals (45'+1, 80') as Qatar blanked Saudi Arabia 2-0 as both squads had already clinched knockout-stage berths.

At Sharjah:

Hilal El-Helwe scored twice (65', 90'+8) as Lebanon dominated North Korea 4-1 in what was the tournament swan song for both teams.

Final Group E Standings:

1. Qatar (GP: 3; GD: +10; PTS: 9)
2. Saudi Arabia (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
3. Lebanon (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
4. North Korea (GP: 3; GD: -13; PTS: 0)

Qatar and Saudi Arabia advanced to the knockout stage.



GROUP F:

At Abu Dhabi:

Muhsen Al-Ghassani scored the winning goal in the 84th minute as Oman defeated Turkmenistan 3-1 to lock up a berth in the knockout stage.

At Al Ain:

In a battle of Round of 16-bound teams, Tsukasa Shiotani scored the game winner in the 58th minute as Japan defeated Uzbekistan 2-1 to clinch top spot in Group F.

Final Group F Standings:

1. Japan (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
2. Uzbekistan (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
3. Oman (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Turkmenistan (GP: 3; GD: -7; PTS: 0)

Japan, Uzbekistan, and Oman advanced to the knockout stage.



Here are the match-ups for the Round of 16:

Sunday:

At Dubai:

Jordan vs. Vietnam

At Al Ain:

Thailand vs. China, Mainland

At Abu Dhabi:

Iran vs. Oman



Monday:

At Sharjah:

Japan vs. Saudi Arabia

At Al Ain:

Australia vs. Uzbekistan

At Abu Dhabi:

United Arab Emirates (hosts) vs. Kyrgyzstan



Tuesday:

At Dubai:

South Korea vs. Bahrain

At Abu Dhabi:

Qatar vs. Iraq