AFC Asian Cup Day 5 Recap: Japan overcome Turkmenistan challenge, Oman fail Uzbek test

In the other game of the day, Qatar edged Lebanon with two goals in the second half.

Goals, goals and more goals were on display in the AFC Asian Cup on Wednesday. It all started with Japan edging a bright Turkmenistan side 3-2 at the Al-Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Despite Japan enjoying the majority of possession, the Emeralds took a surprise lead through a world-class long-ranger from Arslanmurat Amanov. After being frustrated in the first half, the Samurai Blue came out all guns blazing in the second.

Watch: Japan 3-2 Turkmenistan, Goals and Highlights

A quick-fire brace from striker Yuya Osako and a goal from Ritsu Doan sealed the deal. Despite Turkmenistan pulling one back through Ahmed Atayev’s penalty, Japan held on to start their campaign with a win. For Turkmenistan, the question arises as to whether their error-prone defence is holding them back? Yes! They’re an unpredictable, clever side going forward, but their defenders have too many lapses in concentration, leading to goals. If the Emeralds cannot improve their defending, qualification from the group will be extremely difficult.

Japan will have similar questions about whether their poor defending could be their undoing? Definitely. Japan’s defenders aren’t aggressive enough and are too unstable. They don’t pressurize attackers well and are exposing goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda to too much pressure. If the Samurai Blue want to challenge for the title, major improvements are required at the back.

However, in the most competitive game on Wednesday, Uzbekistan piped Oman 2-1 at the Sharjah Stadium. After going up in the first half through Odil Ahemedov’s goal, Oman equalized with Muhsen Al Ghassani’s goal. However, two substitutes combined to get Uzbekistan the winner, with Eldor Shomurdov scoring the winner.

Watch: Uzbekistan 2-1 Oman, Goals and Highlights

For Oman, the question would be what did they do wrong? They were denied by Uzbekistan’s brilliant Ignatiy Nesterov multiple times. However, they could’ve improved upon their finishing and hit straight at Nesterov on occasions. Also, they need to improve their defending and stamina towards the end, which resulted in Uzbekistan getting the late winner.

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The White Wolves will wonder whether they need to improve their own defending? Possibly. Luck wouldn’t favour them every time and they let Oman take too many shots way too easily. Their defending was lacklustre, as they let Oman get into the final third too easily and were bailed out by Nesterov. Also, will Egor Krimets' red card cause them problems? Probably not. He was one of their weakest defenders and got sent off because he took one for the team.

Qatar got off to the perfect start in the tournament, downing Lebanon 2-0 at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain. It was a relatively easy game for the Maroons, as they overcame the stubborn defending and two second half goals from Bassam Al Rawi and Almoez Ali sealed the deal.

Watch: Qatar 2-0 Lebanon, Goals and Highlights

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For Lebanon, the question is could they have defended more intelligently to prevent the goals? Probably. They gave away a cheap free-kick on the edge to allow Al Rawi to score and later were at sixes and sevens defensively, allowing Ali to add a second. They might’ve played a rigid defensive system, but as long as lapses in concentration and shakiness persists, problems will continue to arise.

The question for Qatar would be whether they’ll have to be more clinical in attack? Yes. The Maroons had 13 shots, five of which were on target. While they toyed around with Lebanon’s defence, the final product was missing on many occasions. They’ll need to tune up their game in the final third and bring more of a lethal touch to their finishing if they’re to go deep into the event.