The South Korean team, which is afraid of Japan, will become a stepping stone for Saudi Arabia?

Although the national football team, which can advance to the round of 16 with a draw, unfortunately lost in an "exhibition match", the other teams in the Asian Cup still seem to know how to play well in the final round of the group stage.

The "Japanese-fearing" South Korean team, in order to avoid strong opponents, even staged a 3-3 goal battle with Malaysia. It's just that the Saudi team, which is incomprehensible, chose to enter the death half zone, which made Klinsmann a little unable to laugh.

01. The South Korean team of "Fear of the Sun": Met the Saudis who did not understand the amorous feelings

a. South Korea: You want me to be number one, but I don't want to be number one

Japan's somewhat unexpected defeat to Iraq meant that South Korea's Group E winners will face the mighty Blue Samurai in the round of 16.

The Jordanian team failed to win the second game, but with 4 points in hand, the South Korean team, which had already advanced in advance, obviously hoped to avoid strong opponents. So in this match against Malaysia, the whole process has become extremely weird.

After ending the first half 1-0, the South Korean team, which redeployed their tactics at halftime, quickly fell into a disadvantageous situation of falling behind 1-2 in the second half.

Especially the equalizer goal of the opponent, from South Korean player Hwang In-bum made a mistake in controlling the ball at the back, giving Malaysia a big gift.

If they lose against Malaysia, it may put the team under huge pressure from public opinion, so in the final stage of the game, the South Korean team made another effort. Lee Gang-in's direct free-kick was followed by a stoppage-time penalty.

However, it is important to note that the penalty was decided after the referee had repeatedly watched the VAR. But judging from slow motion, Malaysia should be a normal clearance this time, and there is no foul.

Considering that this time it is the Asian Cup held in West Asia, and the arrangement of referees is also under the management of West Asians. We have to suspect that there is a certain force that wants to see South Korea meet Japan in the round of 16.

Fortunately, the scheming South Korean team finally got their wish. In the 105th minute of the game, Kim Yingquan rashly left the defense area and resolutely grabbed it, but let Haring turn easily.

Under the attack of the two, he was still steadily sent out by the opponent, and the defender in front of Morales released the space to shoot, and finally achieved a perfect equaliser.

Of course, we need to sigh that the Malaysian players are really capable of scoring goals. The Qatari players said that even if there is a lot of space in the defense, they need the shots of the attacking players, which can hit the goal frame.

b. The Saudis are puzzled? Perhaps this is their best way to qualify

It can be seen from the situation of the round of 16 that the South Korean team also took great pains to avoid meeting Japan in the round of 16. Perhaps in Klinsmann's plan, the Saudi team should be like them, voluntarily losing to Thailand and becoming second in the group.

As a result, South Korea's last-16 opponent will be their favorite Southeast Asian team.

The problem is that the Saudis did not choose to do so. Although they missed a penalty, they still won the group.

After all, if Saudi Arabia finish second in the group, they will meet hosts Qatar at 8-4, which may not be the result that the West Asian brothers want to see.

Going to the death half of the South Korean team and Australia seems dangerous, but the Saudi team is capable of qualifying, and if there is VAR (this Asian Cup, the VAR whistle phenomenon is quite serious), everything is possible.

02. The shadow of the famous tree, the losing Japanese team still no one wants to touch

a. Bahrain: I was the first to be "selected" by our group

Although they lost to the Iraqi team unexpectedly, the strength of the Blue Samurai was still recognized by many people.

Judging from the group stage, the Japanese team has not really put out the strongest lineup, and Kaoru Mikasa should be able to play in time even if he misses the round of 16 against Bahrain, from the top 8 games.

After losing to South Korea in the first game, Bahrain was worried about whether they could qualify from the group, but after two consecutive wins, they inexplicably became the first in the group.

This is also somewhat because neither the Jordanian team nor the South Korean team wants to meet the Blue Samurai, so the Bahrain team has won. In the last World Preliminary Round of 12, Bahrain was in the same group as Japan, and this time it may be difficult to prevent the latter from going further.

b. If Iran meets Japan: Will they lose 0-3?

In this half of the Japanese team, they may end up facing Iran in the 8-4 run. With 3 wins in 3 games in the group stage, scoring 7 goals and conceding 2 goals, the Persian Army showed good form.

The team's top scorer Taremi, who has scored two goals, is about to sign with Inter Milan, and this Asian Cup will also be his last continental tournament in his prime.

Despite losing to Iraq, Japan have an excellent record against the Iranians, having beaten their opponents 12 times and lost only 4 times.

Especially in the semi-finals of the last Asian Cup, the Japanese team advanced to the final after defeating Iran 3-0. At that time, Azmon slapped Shibasaki Yue, which can be described as a loss and a loss.

I wonder if they have the ability to take revenge and keep the Japanese team out of the top 4 if they have a chance to meet again this time?

03. The opponent of the national football team in the same group: it is expected to become a big dark horse

a. Tajikistan: Hit the top 8 and look up to the top 4

Judging from the final result, if the national football team can draw 0-0 with Qatar, it will be able to advance to the round of 16 as the top 4 third-place team in the group stage.

It's a pity that the national football team failed to keep its innocence in the end, and therefore missed the knockout round, creating the worst Asian Cup record in history.

Tajikistan, who finished second in the group, will face the United Arab Emirates in the round of 16, while in the same half as Iraq and Jordan.

The level of the UAE team is close to that of Palestine and Lebanon, and Tajikistan is fully capable of fighting. Therefore, this semi-district, no matter who makes it to the top 4, can be called a dark horse.

Relatively speaking, Iraq, which won against Japan, is favored by more people.

b. Predict the top 4: Shishakay

Hosts Qatar are also in a relatively easy semi-zone, with Palestine, Uzbekistan and Thailand not necessarily able to withstand the onslaught of Afif.

As soon as the star came on the pitch, he changed the tide of the mid-card battle and provided the winning assist. Qatar scored 5 goals and conceded 0 goals in the group stage, Afif scored 3 goals, assisted 1 goal, and the last goal left, he also participated in the key penultimate second pass, which can be called the strongest individual performance so far in this Asian Cup.

Which four teams will reach the top four of the Asian Cup in the end? Will it become a joke for the South Korean team to pick the opponent?

Can Tajikistan, which is in the same group as the national football team, become a dark horse and create some trouble for the more optimistic Iraq?

Conclusion:

This is the top competition of Asian football, and even without the national football team, there are still many topics that attract our continued attention.

After all, even the life-and-death battle between Tajikistan and Lebanon can play a thrilling and exciting thrill. Aside from the national football team to watch the Asian Cup, maybe you can find the happiness of a fan.