Uzbekistan plot Asian Cup 'surprise'

South Korea will face Australia in the last eight while the Uzbeks play hosts and holders Qatar after beating Thailand 2-1. Srecko Katanec said that his Uzbekistan side can "surprise" Qatar in the quarter-finals despite being depleted by injury and illness.
The Uzbeks took the lead against Thailand in the first half with a cool Azizbek Turgunboev finish through the legs of the goalkeeper. Thailand were the lowest-ranked team left at the tournament but they hit back just before the hour with an even better goal, from distance, by substitute Supachok Sarachat.
Uzbekistan went ahead again midway through the second half when highly rated 20-year-old CSKA Moscow attacker Abbosbek Fayzullaev struck from outside the box. This time Thailand had no reply, despite some late pressure.
Uzbek coach Katanec felt his side should have scored two more goals in the first half but was delighted with the result, given they were missing several first-choice players. "Imagine what kind of work I have to do," said the Slovenian, adding that he is missing five players who would normally start.
None will be available to face Qatar on Saturday, he said. "We also have some virus, many players are ill, but we performed well and our players did their job," he said.
Despite being short of his best side Katanec struck a defiant tone, saying: "We can surprise Qatar, why not?" Pre-tournament favourites Japan enter the last-16 fray on Wednesday when they play Bahrain, while Iran face Syria.