AFC Asian Cup: Qatar, Uzbekistan, Japan Join Knockout Stage

The second cycle of group-stage games in the AFC Asian Cup concluded on Sunday in the United Arab Emirates with three games.

GROUP E:

At Al Ain:

Almoez Ali delivered a quadruple (9', 11', 55', 60') as he scored twice in each half as Qatar clinched a berth in the knockout stage after destroying North Korea 6-0.

Group E Standings:

1. x-Qatar (GP: 2; GD: +8; PTS: 6)
2. x-Saudi Arabia (GP: 2; GD: +6; PTS: 6)
3.    Lebanon (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 0)
4.    North Korea (GP: 2; GD: -10; PTS: 0)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage



GROUP F:

At Abu Dhabi:

Genki Haraguchi's penalty kick in the 28th minute delivered the goal that carried Japan to the knockout stage following the Blue Samurai's 1-0 victory over Oman.

At Dubai:

Eldor Shomurodov scored twice (24', 42') as Uzbekistan demolished Turkmenistan 4-0 to lock up a berth in the knockout stage.

Group F Standings:

1. x-Uzbekistan (GP: 2; GD: +5; PTS: 6)
2. x-Japan (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
3.    Oman (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
4.    Turkmenistan (GP: 2; GD: -5; PTS: 0)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage