The Central Asian side are enjoying a debut campaign to remember but will find former runners-up UAE a tough challenge.
Record favours UAE
This will be the third meeting between Tajikistan and UAE but the first time they’ve met at the AFC Asian Cup; the UAE are unbeaten in their last two meetings (W1 D1), with their last encounter ending 0-0 in March 2023.
Hard work needed
Tajikistan may have qualified for the knockout stage on their first attempt and will be trying to be the first team since Japan (1992) to win their maiden knockout stage match.
On a roll
UAE are on a mission to better their semi-finals finishes of 2015 and 2019, but will need a resolute defence after having conceded two or more goals in four of their last five knockout stage matches.
Penalty kings
Three of the UAE’s last seven goals at the AFC Asian Cup have come via the penalty spot, including two of their five goals at the 2023 edition; the five penalties awarded to the UAE since the beginning of the 2019 tournament is more than any other team.
Creative force
No player in Group A created more scoring chances than Tajikistan’s Ehson Panjshanbe (7) while Abdalla Ramadan’s six chances created for the United Arab Emirates were the third most of any player in Group C.
source