Strong Uzbeks power past Saudi Arabia into Asian Cup QF

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Uzbekistan defeated Saudi Arabia 3-1 in the Asian Cup Group B game billed as a do-or-die showdown between two teams that have not reached their full potential at this tournament.

With their nation’s Asian Cup hopes on the ropes, Uzbekistan coach Mirdjalal Kasimov promised an all-out attack in a bid to get to the quarterfinals, and he made good on that threat.

The White Wolves started strongly, pushing high up the park with aggression and physicality to unnerve the Saudi Arabians and capitalise on their traditionally slow starts in this tournament.

The tactic took less than two minutes to pay dividends. Midfielder Sardor Rashidov pounced on a poor defensive clearance on the right wing to drill home the opening goal, helped by a dreadful piece of goalkeeping by Waleed Abdullah, who couldn’t get down fast enough to prevent a goal as the ball went through him and into the net.

The Uzbeks continued to dominate, using their bigger bodies and tough tackling to outmuscle their opponents off the ball and deny the Saudis any real opportunity to get into the match.

However their physicality was almost their undoing in the second half, as Denisov clattered Naif Hazazi to give away a penalty, leaving it to Mohammed Al Sahlawi to stroke the ball into the bottom left corner.

With the Saudis only needing a draw, the Uzbeks found themselves chasing a game they had dominated, and their physicality began to earn several yellow cards.

However they weren’t to be denied. An early cross from Mulladjanov was met by substitute Vokhid Shodiev, who restored the one goal lead just five minutes after coming on. Rashidov, who was declared man of the match, sealed the win with a blistering counterattack as Saudi Arabia desperately chased the equalizer.

The Green Falcons appeared to be daydreaming in the opening minute until Rashidov took advantage of poor defending to score and put Saudi Arabia on the back foot immediately.

Their midfielders made matters worse by continually turning over possession, often in their own half. The strength and physicality of the Uzbeks were impressive and clearly intimidated the sluggish Saudi Arabia.

Goalkeeper Abdullah too will rue his start. Not only did he fail to make a regulation save but he was also responsible for spilling a number of long range efforts and the side was lucky to not to be down two goals early on.

They were a team who entered the tournament with a great deal of expectation and after failing in the group stages for the third time in their last four Asian Cup appearances, tough questions will be asked of Romanian coach Cosmin Olaroiu once the side returns home. /End/