3-2！Asian football is in chaos, fish belly is rising, and dark horses are emerging!
The 2024 Asian Cup in Qatar has all reached the knockout stage. The deepest impression left by this tournament is that in the entire Asian football world, there does not seem to be a real weak team. In the past, it was a team with a fish belly, but now it is getting bigger and bigger, and there are fewer and fewer teams that the national football team can play in Asia!
Indonesia's match against Australia was the biggest difference in strength in the entire knockout stage, but it wasn't as overwhelming as everyone thought. For a long time in the game, the ball was under the control of the Indonesian team, and their passing and cutting combinations left a lasting impression on the fans. However, the lack of strength still allowed the Indonesians to lose 0-4, and their Asian Cup journey came to an end. However, for the Indonesian team, ranked 146th in the world, being able to reach the knockout stage is already a great success, at least not for the Chinese men's football team.
Tajikistan, who came out next, broke the record for the longest cold streak in the Asian Cup qualifiers. The newcomers, who are playing in the Asian Cup for the first time, eliminated China in the group stage and did not have stage fright against a strong UAE side. If it weren't for Tajikistan's attacking midfielder Jalilov's poor shooting ability and consecutive missed opportunities, the UAE team would likely suffer a big defeat. In the end, Tajikistan defeated the UAE 6-4 in a penalty shootout and advanced to the round of 16 of the Asian Cup for the first time in their history!
The clash between Iraq and Jordan is the closest match in the 1 8 finals of this Asian Cup. Iraq won all three games in the group stage, beating Japan to top the group, and many Iraqi fans believe that this team can repeat the miracle of 2007 and bring Iraqi football to the top of Asia again. Sadly, a controversial red card from Iranian referee Fajani ended their hopes. Iraq, with only one player remaining, collapsed in stoppage time and were beaten 2-3 by Jordan with two goals in a row, sadly ending their way to the round of 16 and becoming the first team to qualify as top of the group, but they were eliminated in tragic fashion.
The host Qatar team was also in trouble for a while. In the knockout stage, the Qataris did not get off to a good start, with the Palestinians pressing on to break the deadlock and take the lead in the knockout stages. At this moment, the Qataris came to their senses and took advantage of a corner kick opportunity and a penalty kick from Chinese referee Ma Ning to win 2-1 against the Palestinian team, avoiding the embarrassment of being eliminated in the first round of the knockout round.
For a Chinese fan, the biggest feeling this Asian Cup gives us may only be two words, that is"Despair"。With the performance of the Chinese men's football team in the group stage, whether it is against the United Arab Emirates, Iraq or Palestine, it is difficult for us to win, even against the weaker Indonesian team, we dare not say that we can defeat the opponent. Not to mention Australia, Tajikistan, Jordan and Qatar, which have already qualified for the round of 16.
The next most important task for the Chinese team is to challenge the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. But after watching this Asian Cup, fans may postpone the idea of returning to the World Cup in advance, at least in the next 5 to 10 years, the Chinese men's football team wants to break out of Asia, it is still an unattainable dream!