The United Arab Emirates and Tajikistan went head-to-head in the last 16 of the Asian Cup as debutants, Tajikistan, booked their place in the quarter-finals with a dramatic 5-3 penalty shootout win over the United Arab Emirates after a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Australia beat Indonesia 4-0 in the first game of their knockout stage on Sunday after a feisty match at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. Despite the south-east Asian side's loud supporters vastly outnumbering the Australian fans in the tiny arena, it was Graham Arnold's side who prevailed when they converted their chances.
Alisher Shukurov buried the final spot-kick to send the world ranked 106th into a showdown with either Jordan or the 2007 champions Iraq. Tajikistan goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov saved from Caio Canedo with the UAE's second penalty of the shootout.
They looked set for a famous victory when Vakhdat Khanonov scored with a 30th-minute header, only for Khalifa Al-Hammadi to equalise in the 95th minute and send the game into extra-time. The UAE reached the semi-finals at the last two Asian Cups but Paulo Bento's side bow out to a Tajikistan side ranked more than 40 places lower than them.
Meanwhile, Australia became the first team to qualify for the last eight when they beat Indonesia 4-0 after weathering the early storm as Indonesia attempted to find a way through their staunch defence. It was Boyle, however, who gave them a two-goal cushion on the stroke of halftime when he connected with Gethin Jones's cross to head in at the far post.
The Indonesian fans in red and white tried their best to spur on their team but Australia remained composed, although they nearly found themselves in trouble when Jones deliberately tripped Rafael Struick off the ball in retaliation. The foul occurred right in front of Arnold, who angrily threw a water bottle to the turf expecting a red card. But the referee only cautioned Jones, who was immediately taken off by Arnold.
Indonesia started the game on the front foot and gave their opponents an early scare with an effort on goal, but Australia took the lead in the 12th minute when Jackson Irvine's cross was deflected into the net by defender Elkan Baggott. Craig Goodwin came on as a late substitute and the forward made an instant impact when he pounced on a rebound to score in the 89th minute while towering defender Harry Souttar made it 4-0 moments later with a glancing header from a set piece.