'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#4 Debutants surprised the continent
For the first time in its history, the Asian Cup welcomed 24 nations instead of the usual 16, which gave a bigger competition and chances for nations who are not yet known on the continental stage.
Debutants Kyrgyz Republic and the Philippines offered something on the table as both of them provided such surprising performances in their opening fixtures.
The Kyrgyz Republic faced China PR in their opening match where Akhlidin Israilov scored his nation's first goal in the tournament on the 42nd minute.
However, their celebrations were cut short in the second half when Pavel Matyash, their goalkeeper, went on to provide what was one the 2019 Asian Cup's greatest howler as he allowed a goal into his own net.
From then on, China capitalized on the blunder and went on to win 2-1. Despite the defeat, they went on to the round of 16 as they managed to win 3-1 against the Philippines, which sent them as the second-best third placers in the tournament with three points.
The Kyrgyz Republic also matched UAE stride-for-stride in the Round of 16 clash, scoring a second equaliser in second-half stoppage time to force extra-time. After going down in extra-time, they hit the crossbar with what was the last kick of the game, ensuring a great escape for the UAE.
The Kyrgyz were that close to forcing the lottery of a penalty shootout.
Looking at the other debutants, the Philippines performed really well against a powerhouse in South Korea. With a gap of 63 ranking spots between them, it was already clear that the Philippines would go into the particular game as the clear underdogs.
Punters and pundits alike already counted out the small island nation even before a ball was kicked, but their resilience proved to be a breath of fresh air.
They were able to hold the two-time Asian Cup holders scoreless until a scramble in the box on the 67th minute which allowed Hwang Ui-Jo to tap the ball past Michael Falkesgaard.
Though they would eventually fall against China (3-0) and Kyrgyzstan (3-1) respectively, they did show that they weren't the pushover everyone expected The Azkals to be.
