Tajikistan and UAE will clash on Sunday afternoon in a game that will decide which team will make it to the last eight of the Asian Cup.
The two teams enjoyed similar group campaigns, as they both picked up four points from their three matches in their respective groups.
Tajikistan finished second in Group A. They kicked off their campaign with a goalless draw against China before a 1-0 defeat against Qatar. However, they sealed their qualification for the knockout stages with a 2-1 win over Lebanon.
Meanwhile, UAE finished second in Group C. They opened their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Hong Kong before a draw with Palestine and defeat in gameweek three against group winners Iran.
These two nations have a contrasting history in the Asian Cup. The current edition of the competition is Tajikistan’s debut campaign, so they will be pleased to have made the knockout stages.
Meanwhile, the UAE has been a constant presence in the competition since 2004. Their recent record is slightly inconsistent, though, as the opening game victory against Hong Kong is their only win in their last four matches at the tournament.
Tajikistan’s recent international form has been respectable, as Petar Segrt’s team has won five of their last eight international matches, having suffered just one defeat.
UAE may not have enjoyed a highly consistent Group C campaign, but they have still won eight of their last 11 international matches.
Forebet predicts a close-fought game between these two teams, ending in a low-scoring draw, with the match settled in extra-time or by a penalty shootout.