KLINSMANN SAYS HE WON'T RESIGN -- BUT WOULD SOUTH KOREA GIVE HIM A SACK?

 

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A parting of ways can be initiated either way.

So, just because a defiant Jürgen Klinsmann says -- in the wake of South Korea's disappointing semifinal elimination at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup -- that he will not resign, that does not mean the Korea Football Association cannot opt to dispense with his services.

The question is, will they?

Recent history bodes well for Klinsmann given the KFA are far from 

In the past decade or so, only Uli Stielike has been outrightly given the sack. Instead, the modus operandi of the KFA sees them allow their coaches to run down their contract and then opt against an extension as was the case with Klinsmann's predecessors Paulo Bento and Shin Tae-Yong.

When Klinsmann was unveiled as the new man at the helm of South Korea last February, it was revealed he had signed a contract through to the 2026 FIFA World Cup -- a tournament that they should have no real difficulty qualifying for over the next year and a half.

And on paper, bowing out of the Asian Cup in the last four following a shock 2-0 loss to Jordan, while not ideal for a team that were genuine contenders to win a first title since 1960, is far from an outright failure.

But while there may not be immediate cause for concern for Klinsmann, that is not to say that he will be on a tighter leash now with plenty of areas to show improvement in.

By now, anyone that has remotely kept abreast of developments surrounding South Korea in the past year would be aware of the various criticism directed Klinsmann's way.

AUSTRALIA, SOUTH KOREA REMATCH HEADLINES TANTALISING ASIA CUP QUARTERFINAL LINEUP

Australia and South Korea's last competitive meeting came in the final of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, which saw the Socceroos claim their first title with a 2-1 triumph after extra-time. Steve Christo/Corbis via Getty Images

 It hardly seems that long ago when the 2023 AFC Asian Cup kicked off on Jan. 12.

Now, it is down to eight teams vying to be crowned champions in the 18th edition of the continental's premier international tournament.

There was no shortage of drama in the round of 16 with three games going down to the wire and having to be decided by the penalty shootout, and one even produced a major upset.

Over the next two days, the contenders will be whittled down further to the final four and there is plenty to look forward to with several storylines waiting to emerge.

Quarterfinals will deliver one shock name in the final four

As the only debutants at this edition of the Asian Cup, few would have been expecting to see Tajikistan in the knockout round - let alone the last eight.

By Friday evening, it could even be the semifinals.

FROM HEAVYWEIGHT CLASH TO POTENTIAL UPSETS: LOOKING AHEAD TO THE ASIAN CUP ROUND OF 16

South Korea's surprise runners-up finish in Group E means they now face a daunting clash with fellow powerhouses Saudi Arabia in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup round of 16. Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

 In the blink of an eye, the 2023 AFC Asian Cup is now down to the knockout round.

Two weeks of riveting group-stage action has delivered a last 16 with plenty of usual suspects but also a handful of surprise high-fliers.

There will be no more second chances with teams needing to win four matches on the trot from now till Feb. 10 if they are to be crowned champions of Asia.

Here, we look ahead at the storylines each round of 16 tie has produced.

Australia vs. Indonesia (Jan. 28)

Appearing at the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since 2007, Indonesia were the final team to scrape through to the round of 16 but face a massive test in the form of Australia on Sunday. KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images

A real David vs. Goliath clash if there ever was one, with Australia placed 25th in the world while Indonesia are now the lowest-ranked team in the competition in 146th following the elimination of Hong Kong.

Making their first Asian Cup appearance since they co-hosted the tournament in 2007, Indonesia reaching the knockout round has been nothing short of a fairy tale -- but surely they could do the unthinkable?

They gave a decent account of themselves in defeats to Iraq and Japan with their sole victory thus far coming against regional rivals Vietnam, which means they are yet to cause a major upset.

This is far from the strongest outfit Australia have fielded at recent Asian Cups but they are still a formidable side that will be expected to negotiate their way past this test, even if the jury is still out on whether they have what it takes to go all the way and win a second crown.

THAILAND'S NEXT GENERATION RISE TO THE OCCASION IN OPENING ASIAN CUP WIN

Supachai Jaided showed excellent predatory instincts to find himself in the right place at the right time twice for a match-winning double to help Thailand see off Kyrgyz Republic on Tuesday. HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images

Thailand's preparations for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup were not exactly smooth sailing -- and it was a massive blow when it was confirmed that their star duo Chanathip Songkrasin and Teerasil Dangda would miss through injury.

Chanathip has been one of the continent's leading playmakers in recent years and the War Elephants creator-in-chief for a decade now while Teerasil, while now entering the twilight of his career, still offered plenty of valuable experience from over a decade of being the most-feared striker in Southeast Asia.

Without them, and especially given recent turmoil which saw former coach Alexandre Polking replaced by Masatada Ishii just back in November, there was an air of uncertainty over how well-drilled a Thailand outfit would turn up in Qatar.

On Tuesday, the next generation of stars showed that they could have what it takes to fire Thailand deep in the tournament -- as they opened their Group F campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Kyrgyz Republic.