Another late penalty rescues UAE at Asian Cup as Ryan saves Aussies

Hosts United Arab Emirates ended Kyrgyzstan's fairytale with a controversial extra-time penalty to reach the Asian Cup quarter-finals as holders Australia and Japan also advanced.

A knee-wobbling, chest-thumping Mathew Ryan saved two spot kicks as the Socceroos beat Uzbekistan's White Wolves in a shootout, while the Blue Samurai bundled out Saudi Arabia on Monday.

Substitute Ahmed Khalil was UAE's hero on an angst-ridden Abu Dhabi night as he converted another late penalty after a refereeing decision that could charitably be described as "soft".

"I don't want to talk about the referee," growled Kyrgyzstan coach Aleksandr Krestinin.

"We leave the tournament with a lot of regrets -- we deserved more. It's our first Asian Cup but I'm absolutely sure it won't be our last and we will come back stronger."
- Grobbelaar impression -
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"I'm not a mind-reader but it feels pretty good," said Ryan. "As a goalkeeper it's obviously the pinnacle. I'm just trying to enjoy the moment and all the sacrifices and hard work."