Hosts Qatar continue their quest for back-to-back titles while four-time champions Japan are still in the hunt for a record-extending fifth continental crown and debutants Tajikistan’s dream run keeps on going.

Ahead of the four last-eight ties on Friday and Saturday, the-AFC.com has selected five things to look out for.

Korea look to avenge 2015 final defeat

Back in 2015, Australia were crowned champions of Asia when James Troisi’s extra-time winner against Korea Republic secured their first continental title. The goal cancelled out 22-year-old Son Heung-min’s late equaliser and ensured Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos denied the Koreans the chance to end their long wait for a third title which stretched all the way back to 1960.

Nine years on and Son, who is now dazzling under Postecoglou at Tottenham, will lead the Taegeuk Warriors into their first competitive match against Australia since that night in Sydney when they meet in Friday’s quarter-final. The Korean skipper, alongside defenders Kim Young-gwon and Kim Jin-su (and injured goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu) are the only players from 2015 in the squad in Qatar.

The Koreans overcame Saudi Arabia on penalties in the Round of 16 following Cho Gue-sung’s stoppage-time equaliser. However, they have yet to hit top form and will look for improvement ahead of a rematch of the 2015 final. Son and Co. will remember the heartbreak only too well as the East Asians continue their mission to end more than six decades of hurt.

Can Uzbekistan end Qatar’s winning run and equal 2011 showing?

Uzbekistan appeared at their first AFC Asian Cup back in 1996 and have reached the knockout rounds in each of the past six editions, including the current one. Their best showing to date was here in Qatar in 2011, when a side that included two-time AFC Player of the Year Server Djeparov, striker Maksim Shatskikh and midfielder Odil Ahmedov advanced to the semi-finals before defeat to Australia.

Back in Qatar 13 years on, and into the quarter-finals following a 2-1 win over Thailand, the White Wolves will match that performance should they defeat the hosts on Saturday. And history is on their side, with Uzbekistan winning their past six competitive encounters against the Maroons, including a 2-0 group stage victory in 2011.

However, Qatar remain in red-hot form in the AFC Asian Cup having won their past 11 successive games in the competition after their 2-1 victory over Palestine in the last 16. In front of what is sure to be a full house at Al Bayt Stadium, the stage is set as the home side aim to maintain their unrelenting momentum while Uzbekistan look to equal their strongest showing to date.

Jordan target historic achievement

When Uzbekistan reached the semi-finals in 2011, they did so at the expense of Jordan after a narrow win in the quarter-finals. The tournament matched the Jordanians’ best-ever showing on the continent and was the last time they appeared in the last eight – that was until Monday’s stunning 3-2 come-from-behind win over Iraq when two goals deep into stoppage time sealed their return.

Aside from a 1-0 Matchday Three loss to Bahrain, Jordan have been impressive to date. Having eased past Malaysia 4-0 in their opener, the West Asians came within minutes of beating Korea Republic, only for a late own goal to see the game end 2-2. The remarkable turnaround against an Iraq side who many considered genuine title contenders secured a third appearance in the quarter-finals.

Up next, Hussein Ammouta’s team face the lowest-ranked side left in the tournament: debutants Tajikistan. The match offers the opportunity to make up for the disappointments of 2004 and 2011 (the former when Jordan suffered a heartbreaking quarter-final loss to eventual champions Japan on penalties) as they aim to write a new glorious chapter in their history.

Mitoma back, Taremi out

A heavyweight clash on Saturday sees Japan take on the Islamic Republic of Iran in a repeat of the 2019 semi-final which the Samurai Blue won 3-0. The Japanese booked their place in the quarter-finals after seeing off Bahrain 3-1, while the Iranians faced a far tougher time as they overcame Syria on penalties having been reduced to 10 men late in normal time during the 1-1 draw.

The sides also experienced contrasting fortunes in terms of key personnel. Silky winger Kauro Mitoma returned from injury for Japan midway through the second half to make his first appearance of the tournament, while Iran’s three-goal top scorer Mehdi Taremi was the player shown red for a second bookable offence meaning – just like in 2019 – he will miss the match against the East Asians.

Whether Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu deems Mitoma ready to start remains to be seen, but the fact they have one of Asia’s most gifted players available again is a huge boost. Conversely, how Amir Ghalenoei’s Iran cope without one of the continent’s most prolific strikers will be key to their chances of remaining in the hunt for a fourth AFC Asian Cup crown as the race for the title heats up.

Race for Golden Boot is on

Six goals in four games was a superb return for Aymen Hussein, but after Iraq’s last-gasp 3-2 defeat against Jordan in the Round of 16, the tournament’s top scorer will play no part in the remainder of the competition. Ahead of the quarter-finals, the Iraqi striker sits two clear on top of the scoring charts, but the race is on to catch him.

The closest challengers as things stand are Qatar’s Akram Afif, who boasts four goals (and two assists) from just three starts, and Japan’s Ayase Ueda whose goal in Wednesday’s win over Bahrian took him level with Afif having also started just three of the Samurai Blue’s four games. Both surely stand a good chance should their respective teams go deeper into the AFC Asian Cup.

Elsewhere, Lee Kang-in may be Korea’s key creator but he also has three goals, as does Iran’s Taremi, but his aforementioned suspension will likely dent his chances. Son, meanwhile, is among a number of players on two goals. So, while the departed Hussein sits in pole position, there are no shortage of contenders looking to close him down as the AFC Asian Cup enters the quarter-finals.