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The first round of 2019 AFC Asian Cup had its own fair share of ups and downs. Jordan defeated Australia 1-0 in a tightly-contested affair, UAE could have lost their match against Bahrain if it weren't for an 88th-minute penalty, and India humiliated Thailand 4-1 although the pundits predicted the opposite result.
But, nations of other favorites like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Japan, and South Korea provided no surprise as they routed North Korea 4-0, Yemen 4-0, Turkmenistan 3-2, and Philippines 1-0 respectively.
At the end of the day, it is the goals which matter. The first round of the tournament saw 36 goals scored in 12 matches, two of them coming off from a player of their own country and three of them coming from the spot. Of the remaining 31, some goals were scintillating and will take your breath away.
From Sunil Chhetri's predatory striking skills to be at the right place at the right time to Arslanmyrat Amanow's scorcher against Japan, here are the top 5 goals of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup so far.
#5 Sunil Chhetri 46' - Thailand 1-4 India
Sunil Chhetri had already surpassed Lionel Messi's record of scoring the most number of international goals by converting a penalty in the 27th minute. However, Teerasil Dangda equalized six minutes later to restore parity.
The Indian team which came out of the tunnel had a different vigor and relentlessness which took Thailand completely off-guard. And, it all began with Sunil Chhetri's goal in the opening minute.
The Bengaluru FC captain gave an incisive pass towards Udanta Singh on the right wing and started his darting run. The 22-year-old laid it off for Ashique Kuruniyan, who failed to control the pass. However, Sunil Chhetri was at the right place at the right time to not let a Thailand defender get the ball and smothered it home with a first time shot from just inside the box.
Here is the goal:
#4 Akhlidin Israilov 42' - China 2-1 Kyrgyzstan
China were the overwhelming favorites heading into the match against Kyrgyzstan despite only being fifteen places ahead of them in the FIFA ranking. The first half was turning out to be a drab one as 12 fouls in either half of the pitch halted the momentum of the match.
But, Kyrgyzstan's Akhlidin Israilov ensured that the half would not be devoid of any goal as his volley found the back of the net in the 42nd minute. Valeri Kichin took a quick throw-in towards Mirlan Murzaev who headed the ball into the path of former NEROCA player.
With six Chinese bodies in the penalty box and Wu Xi closing him down, there was only one way the 24-year-old could have scored the goal. Volley it towards his bottom right corner. Akhlidin did just that to give Kyrgyzstan the lead.
Here is the goal:
#3 Ali Adnan 90' - Iraq 3-2 Vietnam
Iraq were the marginal favorites against Vietnam but the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup winners took the lead twice against Iraq. Muhanad Ali and Human Tariq's goals did bring them back into the game but, it was Ali Adnan's blistering and curling free-kick which awarded them the full three points.
Nguyen Phong Hung Dey brought down Saafa Hadi just outside the penalty box and Ali Adnan stepped up to take the ensuing free-kick. The 20-year-old not only towered the ball well above the five Vietnamese defenders but also put enough spin in it so that it dipped just before bulging the back of the net.
The rival goalkeeper Dang Van Lang was hapless as it was outside his reach and, even if he had touched it, the pace of the shot would have deceived him.
Here is the goal:
#2 Mohammed Al-Fatil 37' - Saudi Arabia 4-0 North Korea
Saudi Arabia vs. North Korea was expected to be a one-sided affair as they were separated by forty spots in the FIFA rankings ladder. The Green Falcons eventually routed them 4-0 with the North Koreans being reduced to ten men in the 44th minute. But, it was their second goal which became the talking point of the match.
Han Kwang Song brought down Yaseer Alshahrani in the 36th minute nastily and was shown the yellow card for it. Saudi Arabia had a free-kick just outside the penalty box and Hussain Almoqawhi stepped up to take it.
He angled it perfectly towards Mohammed Al-Fatil whose deft little backheel left the goalkeeper flabbergasted. The touch was so quick that it is impossible to see from the naked eye.
Here is the goal:
#1 Arslanmyrat Amanow 26' - Japan 3-2 Turkmenistan
The opening match of the Group F of the tournament ended 3-2 in the favor of Japan. Turkmenistan gave a good account of themselves and took the lead in the 26th minute through Arslanmyrat Amanow.
Turkmenistan's Ruslan Mingazov recovered the ball in his own half and ran around thirty yards with the ball as the Japanese players didn't bother to close him down. The 27-year-old laid the ball towards Arslanmyrat in the right flank. Ruslan made a run in the far side of the pitch, but the goalscorer had already seen the future.
The 28-year-old took a shot at goal from 40-yards out and, the ball rocketed towards the top left corner.
Here is the goal:
Which goal, out of the five, dropped your jaw? Do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
