Jordan and Japan head into Asian Cup quarters

Jordan qualified for the Asian Cup quarter-finals for only the second time after they came from behind to beat Syria 2-1 in a Group B clash at a wet and windy Qatar Sports Club.

In a battle of triple champions at the Al Rayyan Stadium, Japan hammered a woeful Saudi Arabia 5-0 to top Group B to join Jordan in the last eight.

The results left Japan top of the group with seven points from three matches, ahead of Jordan on goal difference, with Syria third on three and Saudi Arabia last on none. Japan will play hosts Qatar in the quarter-finals with Jordan facing Group A winners Uzbekistan.

Syria took an early lead after 15 minutes when striker Mohamad Al Zino was on hand to rifle home from six yards after Jordan goalkeeper Amer Shafi could only parry Sanharib Malki's low drive. Jordan came back in to the game and were handed an equaliser after 30 minutes when Syrian defender Ali Dyab rose above his on-rushing goalkeeper to loft a header in to his own net after a dangerous cross from Abdulrazak Al Husein.

Dyab was also at fault for Jordan's second goal as he failed to deal with a long punt from goalkeeper Amer Shafi allowing Odai Al Saify to steal in and lift an effort over the on-rushing Mosab Balhous in the 59th minute.

Syria sent on striker Firas Al Khatib in the second half but they failed to create any clear cut chances as Jordan, who only needed a point to qualify, eased to victory.

Shinji Okazaki scored a hat-trick for Japan, including two goals in the first 13 minutes, to put the match beyond the Saudis almost from the off. Ryoichi Maeda made it 3-0 after 19 minutes and added his second after 51 minutes before Okazaki completed his hat-trick and grabbed Japan's fifth in the 80th minute.

Meanwhile, a proposal to stage the World Cup finals in southeast Asia in 2030 is being considered by members of ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian nations. The ASEAN group comprises ten countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. In 2007 four Asean countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam - hosted the 16-team Asian Cup. Indonesia were also briefly involved in the bidding process for the 2022 World Cup finals before withdrawing their candidature in March last year.