UZBEKISTAN

Odil Ahmedov

A relative newcomer to the Uzbekistan national team having made his international debut during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Odil Ahmedov announced his presence on the continental stage against hosts Qatar when he fired an unstoppable long-range drive as the Uzbeks kicked-off their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ campaign with an impressive 2-0 win. Ahmedov played the full 90 minutes as the Uzbeks put one foot in the last eight with a 2-1 win over campaign before the versatile Pakhtakor star, who has also been utilised as a central defender, got his second of the tournament with a cool finish from inside the six-yard area as the Uzbeks drew 2-2 with China to pick up the point they needed to advance to the quarter-finals as Group A winners.

Server Djeparov

Uzbekistan’s midfield dynamo Server Djeparov highlighted his class with an MVP-winning performance in the 2-2 draw with China that saw the Central Asians finish top of Group A to set up the quarter-final clash with Jordan. The men from the Middle East have advanced to the last eight primarily due to their organisation and defensive tenacity and Jordan would be advised to pay close attention to the 2008 AFC Player of the Year, who helped FC Seoul seal the 2010 K-League title while on loan with the Korean outfit from Uzbek giants Bunyodkor.

JORDAN

Amer Shafi

A stoic defence has been the key for Jordan throughout their impressive AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ campaign and perhaps no one epitomises this more than goalkeeper Amer Shafi. The 28-year-old was in outstanding form as Jordan reached the quarter-finals on their AFC Asian Cup debut in 2004 and has once again emerged as an influential figure, putting in superb performances against three-time champions Japan and Saudi Arabia and most recently neighbours Syria. The Japanese needed a stoppage-time goal to finally end Shafi’s staunch resistance while six-time Asian Cup finalists Saudi Arabia could not find a way past the Hashemite Kingdom’s keeper.

Abdallah Deeb

Although he has yet to complete a full 90 minutes let alone find the target the unfortunate injury to in form striker Odai Al Saify could present an opportunity for Abdallah Deeb to step up and be the man to lead Jordan to the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™. Deeb is certainly capable of making a difference against the Uzbeks should Jordan coach Adnan Hamad give the 23-year-old attacker the nod, having played almost 40 times for the Hashemite Kingdom.