With the group stage of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 now done and dusted, we turn our attention towards the round of 16.
The United Arab Emirates face Kyrgyz Republic in a crucial encounter under the scornful eyes of their faithful at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The hosts have had a tough time getting past their opponents earning a total of five points across three group matches with two ties after coming back from a goal down and one luck inspired win against the Indians.
However, it is understood that they will need more than luck as they face their Central Asian opponents who have managed 43 shots on target (excluding blocked shots) in the three matches and finished third in their group behind South Korea and China.
The sixth knockout phase match of the tournament is between hosts United Arab Emirates and Kyrgyz Republic. Here’s how the two sides might line up tonight.
will face Kyrgyz Republic at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday hoping to book a spot in the quarterfinals of the AFC Asian Cup 2019.
UAE reached the Round of 16 winning Group A featuring Thailand, Bahrain and India while Kyrgyz Republic progressed as one of the four best third-placed teams from a group featuring Korea Republic, China PR and Southeast Asia’s Philippines.
So, let’s take a look at the five key facts ahead of the game.
LIVE STREAMING HERE UAE VS KYRGYZSTAN ASIAN CUP 22.1.2019
1) UAE looking to build on recent Asian Cup success
UAE have reached the knockout stage of the Asian Cup for the second successive tournament and the fourth time in total.
They lost 2-0 to the hosts and eventual winners Australia in the 2015 semifinal.
2) Kyrgyz Republic did not disappoint in their tournament debut
Kyrgyzstan’s 3-1 victory against the Philippines ensured their progression through to the knockout stages of this year’s Asian Cup as one of the four best third-placed sides from the group stages.
UAE (4-4-1-1)
Goalkeeper: Khalid Eisa
Defenders: Mohamed Gharib, Fares Juma, Khalifa Mubarak, Alhasan Saleh
Midfielders: Mohammed Abdulrahman, Majed Hassan Ahmad,Ali Hassan Salmeen, Ismail Al Hammadi
Forward: Ahmed Khalil, Ali Mabkhout
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC (5-3-1-1)
Goalkeeper: Kutman Kadyrbekov
Defenders: Kairat Zhyrgalbek Uulu, Mustafa Iusupov, Tamirlan Kozubaev, Valery Kichin, Bekzhan Sagynbaev
Midfielders: Akhildin Israilov, Egdar Bernhardt, Aziz Sydykov
Forwards: Mirlan Murzaev, Vitalij Lux
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