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  • Qatar book first-ever semi-final spot with Korea Republic win
  • Hosts UAE edge holders Australia
  • The two teams join Japan and IR Iran in final four

Qatar and hosts United Arab Emirates both stunned Korea Republic and tournament holders Australia in 1-0 wins to advance to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 semi-finals.

FIFA.com reviews the second day of quarter-final action.

  • Ismaeil Matar Aljneibi of United Arab Emirates walks out with a mascot 


    25 Jan 2019

    AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Ismaeil Matar Aljneibi of United Arab Emirates walks out with a mascot ahead of the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between United Arab Emirates and Australia at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Pedro Correia of Qatar controls the ball as Kim Jinsu of Korea Republic looks on


    25 Jan 2019

    ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Pedro Correia of Qatar controls the ball as Kim Jinsu of South Korea looks on during the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between South Korea and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Son Heungmin of South Korea battles for possession with Akram Hassan Afif of Qatar


    25 Jan 2019

    ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Son Heungmin of South Korea battles for possession with Akram Hassan Afif of Qatar during the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between South Korea and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Ji Dongwon of Korea Republic battles for possession with Tarek Salman of Qatar


    25 Jan 2019

    ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Ji Dong-won of Korea Republic battles for possession with Tarek Salman of Qatar during the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between South Korea and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Kim Jinsu of Korea Republic in action


    25 Jan 2019

    ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Kim Jinsu of South Korea in action during the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between South Korea and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Abdel Aziz Hatim of Qatar celebrates with teammates after he scores his side’s first goal


    25 Jan 2019

    ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Abdel Aziz Hatim of Qatar celebrates with teammates after he scores his sides first goal during the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between South Korea and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Abdel Aziz Hatim of Qatar celebrates with teammates after he scores his side’s first goal


    25 Jan 2019

    ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Abdel Aziz Hatim of Qatar celebrates with teammates after he scores his side’s first goal during the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between South Korea and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Qatar celebrate at the end of the match


    25 Jan 2019

    ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Qatar celebrate at the end of the match after winning the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between South Korea and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Qatar celebrate after winning the AFC Asian Cup quarter final 


    25 Jan 2019

    ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Qatar celebrate after winning the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between South Korea and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Qatar celebrate after winning the AFC Asian Cup quarter final 


    25 Jan 2019

    ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Qatar celebrate after winning the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between South Korea and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Both teams line up for the national anthems


    25 Jan 2019

    AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Both teams line up for the national anthems ahead of the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between United Arab Emirates and Australia at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Both team captains pose with the match officials


    25 Jan 2019

    AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Both team captains pose with the match officials ahead of the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between United Arab Emirates and Australia at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Aziz Behich of Australia controls the ball as Bandar Mohamed Al Ahbabi of United Arab Emirates looks on 


    25 Jan 2019

    AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Aziz Behich of Australia controls the ball as Bandar Mohamed Al Ahbabi of United Arab Emirates looks on during the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between United Arab Emirates and Australia at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Chris Ikonomidis of Australia in action


    25 Jan 2019

    AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Chris Ikonomidis of Australia in action during the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between United Arab Emirates and Australia at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Fares Juma Al Saadi of United Arab Emirates battles for possession with Jamie Maclaren of Australia


    25 Jan 2019

    AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Fares Juma Al Saadi of United Arab Emirates battles for possession with Jamie Maclaren of Australia during the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between United Arab Emirates and Australia at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Ismail Ahmed Mohamed and Majed Hassan Ahmad of United Arab Emirates battle for possession with Australia


    25 Jan 2019

    AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Ismail Ahmed Mohamed of United Arab Emirates and Majed Hassan Ahmad of United Arab Emirates battle for possession with Australia during the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between United Arab Emirates and Australia at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Ismail Ahmed Mohamed of United Arab Emirates and Trent Sainsbury of Australia battle for possession in the air


    25 Jan 2019

    AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Ismail Ahmed Mohamed of United Arab Emirates and Trent Sainsbury of Australia battle for possession in the air during the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between United Arab Emirates and Australia at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Ali Ahmed Mabkhout of United Arab Emirates celebrates with his teammates


    25 Jan 2019

    AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Ali Ahmed Mabkhout of United Arab Emirates celebrates with his teammates after he scores his sides first goal during the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between United Arab Emirates and Australia at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Khalid Eisa Bilal celebrates UAE’s quarter-final win over Australia


    25 Jan 2019

    AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Khalid Eisa Bilal of United Arab Emirates celebrates after his team win the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between United Arab Emirates and Australia at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Players shake hands after the match 


    25 Jan 2019

    AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Players shake hands after the match during the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between United Arab Emirates and Australia at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

  • Players shake hands after the match


    25 Jan 2019

    AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 25: Players shake hands after the match during the AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between United Arab Emirates and Australia at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on January 25, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

    © Getty Images

Korea Republic 0-1 Qatar
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi

When it came to Qatar fans, it was a case of good things come to those who wait. A veritable slow-burner of a game finally fully ignited in the final 12 minutes, handing the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ hosts their first ever Asian Cup semi-final spot. Korea Republic had grown into the second half after a tepid opening phase, with Kim Jinsu cracking the outside of the woodwork with a free-kick. This seemed to light the blue touch paper.

Moments later, out of nothing Abdelaziz Hatem struck a sumptuous, swerving low effort that rocketed into the bottom corner. Only his second goal in a decade of pulling on the Qatar shirt, it was no doubt his most important. However, within seconds, Hwang Uijo saw an equaliser chalked off for offside, before Boalem Khouki’s acrobatic scissor-kick almost put the Qataris into dream land. But they’re no doubt happy with the final four being their destination.


United Arab Emirates 1-0 Australia
Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain

Looking to avenge their semi-final defeat of four years ago, the hosts locked horns with the reigning champions in a lively encounter. While both exuded positivity, converting chances was the greatest initial challenge. Ismail Al Hamadi and Apostolos Giannou both tested their respective keepers before Ali Mabkhout headed over a great opportunity on the stroke of half-time.

Having brought the Socceroos to life in the last round, Mathew Leckie almost repeated the feat, slipping Giannou through to slot home – only for the former to be flagged offside. No risk of that when UAE struck, however, with Mabkhout latching onto a rogue back-pass from Milos Degenek, with the hosts’ No7 rounding Mathew Ryan to steer them onto the road to the semi-finals. Australia rapped at the door in search of an equaliser, but UAE just held firm.


Up next

Semi-finals
IR Iran-Japan, 28 January, Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
Qatar-United Arab Emirates, 29 January, Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

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