Fabio Cesar

Qatar held fancied Iran to a goalless draw to walk away with a point in their Asian qualifier at the Azadi Stadium on Tuesday.

Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni defended under-fire goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima on Monday, but stopped short of confirming he would play in their Asian Cup semi-final against South Korea.

Qatar coach Bruno Metsu expressed admiration for his side's battling spirit after a last-minute goal consigned them to an agonising 3-2 defeat in their Asian Cup quarter-final against Japan.

Japan's Blue Samurai have warned they are tougher than ever after surviving an epic Asian Cup quarter-final duel against hosts Qatar with Borussia Dortmund goalmachine Shinji Kagawa finally on target.

A dramatic last-minute goal from defender Masahiko Inoha saw 10-man Japan twice come from behind to snatch a 3-2 win over heartbroken hosts Qatar in their Asian Cup quarter-final on Friday.

Qatar stormed into the Asian Cup quarter-finals for only the second time in their history on Sunday with a commanding 3-0 victory over Gulf champions Kuwait, who were eliminated from the tournament.

Odil Akhmedov and Server Djeparov shattered Qatari dreams with second-half goals to hand Uzbekistan a 2-0 win over the below-par hosts in the opening game of the Asian Cup on Friday.

Odil Akhmedov and Server Djeparov shattered Qatari dreams with second-half goals to hand Uzbekistan a 2-0 win over the below-par hosts in the opening game of the Asian Cup on Friday.

Victories for Japan's Kashima Antlers, Korea's Ulsan, Shanghai Shenhua and Uzbek heavyweights Pakhtakor kept them on track for the AFC Champions League knockout rounds Wednesday.