By Fatih Erel

ISTANBUL

Four-time champion Japan on Thursday defeated Vietnam 1-0 to advance to the football semifinals in the AFC Asian Cup 2019.

At the quarterfinal match in the United Arab Emirates, Japan's Ritsu Doan scored the goal from a penalty shot in the 57th minute.

Japan will face Iran or China in the semifinals.

Playing in the quarterfinals were Qatar, China, Iran, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Australia, and the UAE.

The semifinals will be played on Jan. 28-29, while the final match will be on Feb. 1.

The 2019 AFC Asian Cup is the men's football championship of Asia organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The 17th edition of the AFC Asian Cup kicked off in the UAE on Jan. 5.

The quarterfinal matches are as follows:

Thursday, Jan. 24:

China - Iran

Vietnam - Japan: 0-1

Friday, Jan. 25:

Korea - Qatar

UEA - Australia