Syria vs. Australia (Thursday, 11.30am)
© Reuters
For a second successive Asian Cup campaign, Australia and Syria will meet in the group stage of this competition, with that encounter taking place on Thursday at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
The Socceroos lead Group B with three points following a 2-0 triumph over India on matchday one, while the Syrians held onto a 0-0 draw against Uzbekistan.
We say: Syria 0-1 Australia
The Syrians can frustrate their opponents but are still missing some quality going forward, which for them has often made the difference between winning and losing.
Australia do not have as much individual quality as they had in previous Asian Cups but have built up some solid continuity and always seem to do enough to get by against defence-minded opponents.
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India vs. Uzbekistan (Thursday, 2.30pm)
© Reuters
Facing the possibility of another early exit from the Asian Cup, India will play their second match in this competition on Thursday against Uzbekistan at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.
The Blue Tigers are at the bottom of Group B, losing their opening encounter versus Australia 2-0, while Uzbekistan had to settle for a 0-0 draw with Syria.
We say: India 0-2 Uzbekistan
Judging from what we saw in their opening match, India do not appear too eager to go forward and seek anything more than a draw in this competition.
We expect to see a lot more urgency from Uzbekistan in this one, and they have more than enough quality to eventually break down the India backline.
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Palestine vs. UAE (Thursday, 5.30pm)
© Reuters
Still seeking their first victory in an Asian Cup tournament, Palestine face the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Group C action on Thursday at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.
The Knights lost their opening match, 4-1 to Iran, while the UAE are tied with the Iranians atop the group thanks to a 3-1 triumph over Hong Kong.
We say: Palestine 0-2 United Arab Emirates
Palestine have work to do when it comes to competing against an experienced side like the UAE, and we expect them to be on the back foot and eventually succumb to the pressure in this match.
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Ben Knapton
