Vahdat Hanonov (3rd R) of Tajikistan celebrates after scoring during the round of 16 match between Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
DOHA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Australia advanced to the quarterfinals after a 4-0 victory over Indonesia as the knockout stage of the Qatar Asian Cup gets underway here on Sunday.
Australia broke the deadlock in the 12th minute when Jackson Irvine's shot was deflected past Indonesia's goalkeeper by defender Elkan Baggott at the near post.
Martin Boyle's diving header doubled the lead when Gethin Jones delivered a low cross that bounced to the far side of the penalty area to find him just before the halftime interval.
In the second half, Indonesia came out with an attacking mindset but saw their hopes ended in the 89th minute when Graig Goodwin volleyed in after Muhamad Riyandi's save parried the ball to his path. Souttar sealed the victory with a close-range header two minutes later in injury time.
Debutant Tajikistan made history as they stunned the United Arab Emirates after a penalty shootout.
Tajikistan took the lead as Vahdat Hanonov headed home Zoir Dzhuraboev's cross into the bottom corner in the 30th minute when Paulo Bento's side flustered after a corner kick.
Tajikistan should have doubled the lead in the 60th minute after Dzhalilov missed two gilt edged chances: a one on one with the goalkeeper and an open goal.
The UAE defender Al Hammadi saved Paulo Bento after rising high to nod home a free-kick in the 95th minute, forcing the game to an additional 30 minutes and a penalty shootout. With Rustam Yatimov making the only save in the shootout, Tajikistan move on to the next round. ■
Alisher Dzhalilov (C) of Tajikistan shoots during the round of 16 match between Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Rustam Soirov (C) of Tajikistan celebrates after the penalty shootout with his teammate at the end of the round of 16 match between Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Vahdat Hanonov (3rd R) of Tajikistan celebrates after scoring during the round of 16 match between Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Caio Canedo Correa (down) of the United Arab Emirates falls down during the round of 16 match between Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Rustam Yatimov (2nd L), goalkeeper of Tajikistan, fails to save a goal by Khalifa Mubarak Alhammadi of the United Arab Emirates during the round of 16 match between Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Players of the United Arab Emirates react after the penalty shootout at the end of the round of 16 match between Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Players of Tajikistan celebrate after winning the penalty shootout at the end of the round of 16 match between Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Khalifa Mubarak Alhammadi of the United Arab Emirates vies with Muhammadzhon Rahimov (L) of Tajikistan during the round of 16 match between Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Khalid Eisa Almesmari (down), goalkeeper of the United Arab Emirates, fails to save a goal by Vahdat Hanonov of Tajikistan during the round of 16 match between Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Yahia Nader (top, R) of the United Arab Emirates vies with Shervoni Mabatshoev (top, L) of Tajikistan during the round of 16 match between Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Tabrez Islomov of Tajikistan celebrates after the penalty shootout at the end of the round of 16 match between Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Petar Segrt (top), head coach of Tajikistan, is thrown in the air by his players after winning the round of 16 match between Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Khalifa Mubarak Alhammadi (2nd L) of the United Arab Emirates celebrates after scoring during the round of 16 match between Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Players of Tajikistan celebrate after the penalty shootout at the end of the round of 16 match between Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
