DOHA: Uzbekistan coach Vadim Abramov set the scene for his team’s Asian Cup quarter-final with Jordan today by calling them dangerous, but lucky.
The Uzbeks have been impressive in reaching the last eight, beating hosts Qatar 2-0, overcoming Kuwait 2-1 and drawing 2-2 with China as they seek to make the semi-finals for the first time.
Jordan also held their own, drawing with three-time champions Japan, then beating Saudi Arabia and Syria as they too look for a maiden last four appearance.
They only needed a point against Syria and came from behind thanks to two defensive errors, which prompted Abramov’s comments.
“They can play football and sometimes they have no chance to score and they do. Someone is helping them, maybe from upstairs,” he said, referring to God.
“They have been somewhat lucky, but they have not lost in four games and this a strong team tactically. Only eight teams are left in the tournament and they are still here, so we can’t underestimate them.”
The two teams played each other in their last warm-up game before the Asian Cup and drew 2-2, but the Uzbeks have looked the better side in Doha.
Jordan have a slew of injuries and yellow card suspensions to deal with, including the loss of talisman Odai Al Saify, who scored the winner to take his country into the last eight.
The powerful striker has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a hamstring injury.
Playing down Abramov’s remarks, Jordan’s Iraqi coach Adnan Hamad said luck was part of football.
“Luck is very much necessary in football and I hope our luck will go on until the end of the tournament.”
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