The Many Talents of Tim Cahill

 

The Quarterfinals began today with a rematch from the last Asian Cup that saw South Korea battle Uzbekistan. Four years ago this clash was for fourth place in the tournament. This year, it was to see who moved on and who stayed to fight another day. Uzbekistan would strike first were it not for Korea's keeper Kim Jin-hyeon making himself big and saving the shot. Not to be outdone, Ignatiy Nesterov would come up big twice in a matter of seconds to keep Korea from scoring. Korea's superiority would show when an attack would lead to a bending shot, but again Nesterov would be up for the save. The second half would get underway, and again, Nesterov would keep the match scoreless. Uzbekistan would blow a chance at winning the game when a cross would lead a header going wide of goal. This game would go into extra time. In the 104th minute Korea would take the lead with a soft header by Son Heung-min that would trickle past Nesterov. Just 15 minutes later Heung-min would strike again leaving little doubt who would win this game.

The second Quarterfinal pitted China against the hosts Australia. The first chance of the game went to China, but the nerves must have been on, because the shot would go wide of goal. The first goal of the game would come in the second half when Tim Cahill would hit a bicycle kick past Chinese keeper Wang Dalei at the 49 minute mark. Cahill would strike again in the 65th minute to give Australia a 2:0 lead. Jiang Zhipeng would almost pull one back for China, but Aussie keeper Mat Ryan would be ready for the shot and its follow up. The action would end there, and China would be packing their bags. 

Korea Republic 2:0 Uzbekistan AET          China PR 0:2 Australia

Scriptor: Australia 2:1 China PR          Uzbekistan 2:3 Korea Republic

IoannesNix: Australia 2:0 China PR**  DPR Korea 1:2 Korea Republic

Artifex: Australia 3:2 China PR             DPR Korea 3:1 Korea Republic

Quaesitor: Australia 4:2 Saudi Arabia    China PR 3:4 Kuwait

Praeceptor: Australia 2:1 Saudi Arabia   DPR Korea 2:1 Kuwait

It seems the Bonus Bonanza questions are no longer garnering interest. Unfortunately, no one answered correctly for day 12, so no bonus point has been awarded. IoannesNix gave an acceptable answer for day 13, and has won that bonus point.

Scriptor and IoannesNix pick up 4 points for picking 2 semifinalists. IoannesNix also grabs a bonus point for correctly identifying Quarterfinal 1's final score at 2:0. All other players gain 2 points for picking Australia as a semifinalist.

STANDINGS:

30/8

25/9

20/5

18/6     YC

10/4    YC

The gap between first and second is just 5 points. Two more quarterfinal matches go down tomorrow, and just 4 games left after that. Here's your last chance to move up in the standings.

The Grand Salmon Alpaca