The top four teams of the 18th Asian Cup Men’s Football Tournament have been decided, with three West Asian teams and one East Asian team securing their spots. Qatar, Jordan, and Iran, along with South Korea, will compete in the semi-finals of the highly anticipated competition.
In the quarter-final match between Qatar and Uzbekistan, Qatar emerged victorious with a 4-3 score in the penalty shootout. The host nation will now face Iran in the semi-finals, while Jordan, making their first appearance in the top four, will challenge South Korea for a spot in the finals.
Chinese referee Ma Ning has received praise for his officiating in the quarter-final match between Japan and Iran, with his decision-making, particularly in the final penalty call, being commended by the AFC. It is expected that Ma Ning and his team will continue to enforce the law in the semi-finals and possibly even the finals, given their exceptional performance.
With the high probability of referees from the corresponding countries of the semi-finalists not officiating the matches, Ma Ning is seen as one of the strongest contenders to officiate the finals, especially if the final is a match between two West Asian teams. As the tournament progresses, the anticipation for the semi-finals and finals of the Asian Cup continues to build.