'Of course, our thoughts are with the Iran people, the players and the whole country, but our focus is on this match.'
Second-half goals from defender Zhang Linpeng and midfielder Deng Zhuoxiang gave China the perfect start to their Asian Cup campaign as they beat highly-rated Kuwait 2-0 at the Al Gharafa Stadium on Saturday.
Australia secured a first Asian Cup final appearance against three-times champions Japan after they thrashed a disappointing Uzbekistan 6-0 at the Khalifa Stadium on Tuesday. Japan beat South Korea 3-0 in a penalty shootout after the two sides drew 2-2 in the first semi-final at the Al Gharafa Stadium.
Australia beat Bahrain and South Korea swept past India as the two AFC heavyweights claimed Asian Cup quarter-final places on Tuesday. Twice champions South Korea easily beat already eliminated India 4-1 at a wet Al Gharafa Stadium to finish second in Group C and set up a last eight meeting with Group D winners Iran while Australia recorded a 1-0 win over Bahrain.
A defiant FIFA President Sepp Blatter declared there was no moving the 2022 World Cup form Qatar, despite widespread concerns about the bidding process that took the tournament to the Middle East for the first time.
Qatar said on Wednesday there was no way it would be stripped of the right to host the World Cup despite the corruption scandal surrounding FIFA, dismissing a 'bashing campaign' of criticism of its 2022 bid as anti-Arab prejudice.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances