AFCON / AFC Cup Quarters...

A lot of drama and a few shocks in the last 16 after all the fun of the group stages, and now we are left we 8 teams in each competition.
The quarters start today, with 2 games in each confederation cup.

Asian Cup
Today:
Tajikistan vs Jordan - 11:30
A 92nd minute winner in their last group game saw Tajikistan progress to a meeting with UAE. This time they were to suffer an injury time goal that took the game into extra time and then penalties. Perfection from Tajikistan saw them progress.
Jordan made it difficult for themselves by losing their last group game when already qualified, meaning they went into the last 16 as best 3rd place. They faced Iraq, and after leading at half time found themselves 2-1 after quickfire Iraqi goals. However, the second saw an over-jubilant celebration/over-officious ref, and Iraq were reduced to 10. 95th and 97th minute injury time goals saw Jordan win in dramatic fashion.

Jordan are 17/20 favourites, with Tajikistan at 16/5

Australia vs South Korea - 15:30
Two heavyweights meet, and this game is just a couple of days after South Korea went all the way to penalties in their last 16. Australia have had 4 days rest after a comfortable 4-0 last 16 win over Indonesia. The Aussies cruised their group, but South Korea struggled with 2 draws after an opening game win.

Despite the form, South Korea are slight favourites at 5/4 with Australia at 9/4.

Tomorrow:
Iran vs Japan - 11:30
After winning all 3 group stage games, Iran had a tougher time in the last 16. They led through a penalty from their star man Mehdi Taremi, but Syria equalised before Taremi got sent off. Penalties were needed for Iran to progress.
Japan needed a final game win to secure progression from the group, but had a pretty easy time in the last 16 with a 3-1 win over Bahrain.

Without Taremi, Iran are underdogs at 16/5 with Japan 17/20.

Qatar vs Uzbekistan - 15:30
The hosts haven't had too much trouble, winning all 3 group games and beating Palestine in the last 16.
Uzbekistan took 5 points in a competitive group, then beat Thailand 2-1 to set up this quarter.

The bookies have this quite tight, with Qatar at 6/4 and Uzbekistan 2/1


African Cup of Nations
Today:
Angola vs Nigeria - 17:00
Nigeria are now the tournament favourites. They finished 2nd in their group with 7 points, and then beat Cameroon rather comfortably.
Angola topped their group, and despite going down to 10 men early in the last 16, beat Namibia 3-0.

At 4/6, Nigeria are fancied to win this. Angola are 9/2

DR Congo vs Guinea - 20:00
DR Congo drew all 3 group games before drawing 1-1 with Egypt in the last 16. Eighteen penalties were required for DR Congo to progress.
After progressing as one of the best 3rd placed teams, Guinea faced the previously impressive Equatorial Guinea in the last 16. Guinea survived a missed penalty before scoring in the 8th minute of injury time to win against 10 men.

DR Congo are 11/8 with Guinea 9/4 as bookies slightly favour DR Congo.

Tomorrow:
Mali vs Cote d'Ivoire - 17:00
The hosts looked like they were being eliminated at the group stage after a humiliating 4-0 defeat, but sneaked through as fourth best 3rd place team. They lost their manager, and faced pre-tournament favourites Senegal in the last 16. Despite going down 1-0 early, the Ivorians suddenly found their form and outplayed their opponents and took the game to penalties which they won.
Mali won 1 and drew 2 in the group before beating Burkina Faso 2-1, and have looked one of the best teams so far.

Home advantage sees the bookies rate Cote d'Ivoire @ 5/4 and Mali 12/5

Cape Verde vs South Africa
Cape Verde won what looked a tough group with ease as they beat Ghana and Mozambique sealing top spot before a draw with Egypt. Mauritania held them until the 88th minute in the last 16, but a penalty was enough to progress.
South Africa recovered from a game 1 defeat to progress in 2nd in their group. They went into the last 16 as underdogs, but an impressive 2-0 win over Morocco sees them in the quarters.

Bookies can't call this with Cape Verde at 17/10 and South Africa 7/4.


Tournament odds are:
Asia:
Japan (6/4), South Korea (3/1), Australia (5/1), Iran (6/1)
Qatar (10/1), Uzbekistan (16/1), Jordan (20/1), Tajikistan (50/1)

Africa:
Nigeria (15/8), Ivory Coast (3/1), Mali (11/2), DR Congo (10/1)
South Africa (12/1), Cape Verde (12/1), Guinea (14/1), Angola (20/1)


In Asia, the winners today face each other in the semi final, and the winners tomorrow meet in the second semi final.
In Africa, the winner of Nigeria/Angola play the winner of Cape Verde/South Africa in the first semi final. Mali/Ivory Coast play DR Congo/Guinea in the second semi final.