DOHA, Qatar: Six teams that made it to the Asian Cup quarterfinals four years ago have progressed to the last eight again, showing little shift in power at the tournament. The only surprise absentee is three-time champion and 2007 runner-up Saudi Arabia. Instead, the quarterfinals will feature host Qatar - a welcome boost to the small nation seeking to build a credible team for 2022, when it will host the World Cup. Qatar will face a major test when it plays three-time Japan in Friday's quarterfinals, while Uzbekistan takes on Jordan - the other country to have shaken up the 2007 order. In Saturday's games, it's Australia vs. defending champion Iraq and Iran vs. South Korea. Japan is seeking to become the first team to win the Asian Cup four times, but it has only one win in seven matches against Qatar, with two losses. “The statistics don't favor us, but in football it's the present that counts,” Japan's Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni said. “The players change, the team changes. In such a short tournament it's important to be mentally and physically strong at the right time. Qatar is the home team and they have the momentum, but we are well prepared. We've had a good group stage and I am confident and I trust my players.” The Blue Samurai are coming off a 5-0 drubbing of Saudi Arabia and Zaccheroni said his team has improved with every game. “I expect a very different game (against Qatar)” said Zaccheroni, who took over after the World Cup in South Africa, where Japan reached the second round. “Both teams are from the Gulf but they play differently. The Saudis are more technical, Qatar is technical but they also have a more physical presence.” Midfielder Makoto Hasebe said Qatar being host will make it a tough match for Japan. “But if we play to our potential and fight well, I expect we will win,” the Wolfsburg player said. Apart from seeking an upset, Qatar will be hoping its progress will bolster attendance figures. The tournament has averaged 11,000 spectators per game, but some matches have seen attendance as low as 2,000, with little atmosphere in empty stadiums. “If you want to get results, you need fans. It's important to support us from the first to the last minute,” Qatar's French coach Bruno Metsu said. “We are preparing to meet one of the best teams in Asia. We can say Japan is the Barcelona of Asia. They play really good football. The team is better than it was during the World Cup. Perhaps you need a computer to find a way to beat them.” Australia reached the 2007 quarterfinals in its first appearance at the Asian Cup after switching from the Oceania confederation and will be hoping to do better this time. Iraq, the surprise winner four years ago, has had a rough ride so far and the team is reportedly riven by internal dissent. The match will also bring two German coaches to face each other, with Wolfgang Sidka in charge of Iraq and Holger Osieck on Australia's bench. “Physically they are, very strong and they have some professional players and very experienced players in their team,” Sidka said of the challenge posed by Australia. Uzbekistan is seeking to make the semifinals for the first time, after three straight quarterfinal appearances. Jordan also has never made the last four. Iran and South Korea will play in the quarterfinals for the fifth straight time, having split the previous four encounters. Iran has three titles, while South Korea won the first two Asian championships but has not lifted the trophy since 1960. Iran coach Afshin Gothbi was an assistant to Guus Hiddink when South Korea went to the semifinals of the 2002 World Cup and has coached in the Korean league. “Having these two teams meet so many times has created great rivalry and respect between the two nations,” Gothbi said. “I believe because of my deep understanding of the Korean way of playing football, of how Korean players and coaches think, that gives me a small edge and we will try to capitalize on that to win the match.”
