The group stage of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 is done and dusted with and we’re all set for the commencement of the second match-day of the round of 16 for the continental showpiece. 

Australia vs Uzbekistan will be played on the second match-day of the round-of-16 knockout phase.

The round of 16 match between Australia and Uzbekistan will be played at the Sheikh Khalifa International Stadium, Al Ain on 21st January. It will kick off at 6.00 PM local time (10:00 PM HKT/SGT).

Where to watch

Viewers from the Southeast Asian regions (Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, East Timor, Laos, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, Burma and Thailand) can tune into the FOX Sports network to watch the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

Indian fans, meanwhile, can follow the competition on Star Sports.

Football fans in Iran can check the IRIB affiliate channels to watch the tournament, while Australian viewers can also tune into FOX Sports.

Furthermore, Bahrain fans can follow their opening match on beIN Sports Connect, while host nation UAE can tune in to the beIN network to follow the competition.

Saudi  based fans can tune in to beIN SPORTS CONNECT or beIN MAX 1

Top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed sides in the group stage of the competition have made it to the knockouts which start on 20th January and will be played until the 22nd of the month..

Fans can also follow the live coverage of the match via our Live Blog 

Japan and Saudi Arabia are all set to clash at the AFC Asian Cup 2019 round of 16 in a crunch game for both sides.

Both managers know just how important this tie is, and will be keen to play their best sides heading into this one. Here are the sides that could line up in this game.

Japan

The Samurai Blue have won three out of three so far, but there are still some questions over their ability to be dominant in matches.

The fitness of Yuya Osako could be another issue heading into this game, so coach Moriyasu has some thinking to do. This could be the side that plays today:

Juan Pizzi will be going for the win tonight, but he has called this game a matter of life and death. Saudi Arabia were one of the favorites, but face a tough ask against Japan.

With their attacking flair stifled in the final group game, the Green Falcons know they need to get their act together if they want to reach the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup. This is how they could line up for this particular game:

Despite starting the competition well, the Saudis have chinks in their armor, and coach Juan Antonio Pizzi has warned his team that the upcoming clash with Japan is no less than “life or death”.

“We have a great opportunity to carve a new path for ourselves. The game against Japan will be considered as life or death, simply because the team that loses will be sent home and all the players are ready and available tomorrow.

“I trust my players and I know they will do well. We have, at least, a 50 percent to win the match and then 50 percent to win the tournament. We will play our usual game, which is possession and passing of the ball.”

“They are considered Asia’s best. But we are high on confidence, that’s why we are here. It will not be an easy game for us but we will try to win.”
Head coach Hajime Moriyasu has made no bones about it either, he believes this will be the most difficult game of the tournament for his side.

“After our three games in the group stage, we are now well prepared to face our opponents (Saudi Arabia) and the players will show their best on the field,” said Moriyasu, who took charge of Japan after the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

“We have used 22 players during the group stage and this has brought us to the knockout round. And we’re looking at the quarter-finals now.”

“My players are confident and we have analysed their matches. Having said that, the Saudi game is going to be the most difficult as they are strong opponents.”

Japan have won all three of their group games, but are still slightly unsteady at the back, and will hope they can get the job done.

But for coach Hector Cuper, the task is far from simple.

“The wonderful thing is Mathew Leckie is back and he will be on the bench,” he said. “It’s like signing a new player halfway through a tournament. We planned when he got injured at Hertha Berlin that we needed to look at how the injury would come along.”

“We know the importance of tomorrow’s game,” Cuper said. “It’s the knockout stage, so we have no room to make errors. We will come to the pitch to win, but at the same time we realise Australia are a tough rival and one of the best teams in Asia.”

“During the last three days we have tried to improve on all of our mistakes and we have tried to analyse the Australia side. Based on their advantages, we will make some changes but it doesn’t mean we’re going to change the system or style of our game.

“We will come to the pitch and the players will do their best to get the necessary result.”

A place in the quarter-finals of the competition is up for grabs, and this game promises some excitement.

Ahead of the game, Socceroos boss Graham Arnold had some positive news for fans, as he confirmed that Matthew Leckie was fit for selection – and will most likely be on the bench.


“We were patient with that and our medical staff have done a great job getting him ready. And that, with his positive attitude and how he is in camp and in around the boys, has given the boys a lift already.”

The group stage of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 is done and dusted with and we’re all set for the commencement of the second match-day of the round of 16 for the continental showpiece. 

Top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed sides in the group stage of the competition have made it to the knockouts which start on 20th January and will be played until the 22nd of the month.

Australia vs Uzbekistan will be played on the second match-day of the round-of-16 knockout phase.

The round of 16 match between Australia and Uzbekistan will be played at the Sheikh Khalifa International Stadium, Al Ain on 21st January. It will kick off at 6.00 PM local time (10:00 PM HKT/SGT).

Where to watch

Viewers from the Southeast Asian regions (Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, East Timor, Laos, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, Burma and Thailand) can tune into the FOX Sports network to watch the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

Indian fans, meanwhile, can follow the competition on Star Sports.

Football fans in Iran can check the IRIB affiliate channels to watch the tournament, while Australian viewers can also tune into FOX Sports.

Furthermore, Bahrain fans can follow their opening match on beIN Sports Connect, while host nation UAE can tune in to the beIN network to follow the competition.

Saudi  based fans can tune in to beIN SPORTS CONNECT or beIN MAX 1.

Fans can also follow the live coverage of the match via our Live Blog 

Japan and Saudi Arabia are all set to clash at the AFC Asian Cup 2019 round of 16 in a crunch game for both sides.

Both managers know just how important this tie is, and will be keen to play their best sides heading into this one. Here are the sides that could line up in this game.

Japan

The Samurai Blue have won three out of three so far, but there are still some questions over their ability to be dominant in matches.

The fitness of Yuya Osako could be another issue heading into this game, so coach Moriyasu has some thinking to do. This could be the side that plays today:

Juan Pizzi will be going for the win tonight, but he has called this game a matter of life and death. Saudi Arabia were one of the favorites, but face a tough ask against Japan.

With their attacking flair stifled in the final group game, the Green Falcons know they need to get their act together if they want to reach the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup. This is how they could line up for this particular game:

Despite starting the competition well, the Saudis have chinks in their armor, and coach Juan Antonio Pizzi has warned his team that the upcoming clash with Japan is no less than “life or death”.

“We have a great opportunity to carve a new path for ourselves. The game against Japan will be considered as life or death, simply because the team that loses will be sent home and all the players are ready and available tomorrow.

“I trust my players and I know they will do well. We have, at least, a 50 percent to win the match and then 50 percent to win the tournament. We will play our usual game, which is possession and passing of the ball.”

“They are considered Asia’s best. But we are high on confidence, that’s why we are here. It will not be an easy game for us but we will try to win.”
Head coach Hajime Moriyasu has made no bones about it either, he believes this will be the most difficult game of the tournament for his side.

“After our three games in the group stage, we are now well prepared to face our opponents (Saudi Arabia) and the players will show their best on the field,” said Moriyasu, who took charge of Japan after the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

“We have used 22 players during the group stage and this has brought us to the knockout round. And we’re looking at the quarter-finals now.”

“My players are confident and we have analysed their matches. Having said that, the Saudi game is going to be the most difficult as they are strong opponents.”

Japan have won all three of their group games, but are still slightly unsteady at the back, and will hope they can get the job done.

But for coach Hector Cuper, the task is far from simple.

“The wonderful thing is Mathew Leckie is back and he will be on the bench,” he said. “It’s like signing a new player halfway through a tournament. We planned when he got injured at Hertha Berlin that we needed to look at how the injury would come along.”

“We know the importance of tomorrow’s game,” Cuper said. “It’s the knockout stage, so we have no room to make errors. We will come to the pitch to win, but at the same time we realise Australia are a tough rival and one of the best teams in Asia.”

“During the last three days we have tried to improve on all of our mistakes and we have tried to analyse the Australia side. Based on their advantages, we will make some changes but it doesn’t mean we’re going to change the system or style of our game.

“We will come to the pitch and the players will do their best to get the necessary result.”

A place in the quarter-finals of the competition is up for grabs, and this game promises some excitement.

Ahead of the game, Socceroos boss Graham Arnold had some positive news for fans, as he confirmed that Matthew Leckie was fit for selection – and will most likely be on the bench.


“We were patient with that and our medical staff have done a great job getting him ready. And that, with his positive attitude and how he is in camp and in around the boys, has given the boys a lift already.”