Opposition confirmed: Socceroos to face UAE in Quarter Finals

After emerging victorious from a gripping encounter against Uzbekistan, the Socceroos will face hosts the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, 26 January 2019 at 3am (AEDT) in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Quarter Finals.

Graham Arnold’s men got the job done over the White Wolves via a 4-2 win on penalties after the game had remained locked at nil-all for 120 minutes. 

READ: Shootout star Ryan reflects on his Schwarzer moment for triumphant Socceroos
WATCH: Mat Ryan saves a one on one


Australia enjoyed the majority of possession, but were unable to break through as Tom Rogic, Rhyan Grant, Apostolos Giannou and Mat Leckie were all denied in the second half.

Australia’s two Mathews then came to the fore for the Socceroos — goalkeeper Maty Ryan produced two stunning saves to keep out Uzbekistan, while the returning Mat Leckie held his nerve on the fifth penalty to bury Uzbekistan and catapult the Socceroos to the Quarter Finals. 

Standing in Australia’s way of a Semi-Finals berth are the hosts UAE who narrowly beat Kyrgyz Republic 3-2 in extra-time. 

Mark Milligan
Captain Mark Milligan thanking fans following the Socceroos' win over Uzbekistan.

The UAE conceded an injury-time equaliser to take the game to extra-time, before Alberto Zaccheroni’s men eventually sealed the win. 

United Arab Emirates v Australia
Date: Friday, 25 January 2019
Venue: Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Kick-off: 8:00pm (local); 3:00am (AEDT – Saturday, 26 January 2019)
Broadcast: Live in Australia on FOX SPORTS 505
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae

( Featured Image courtesy of the Asian Football Confederation)

Banner