UZBEKISTAN entered the quarter-finals topping Group D after they defeated Australia 3-2 in the AFC Under-19 Football Championship last night.
Uzbekistan sit on top of their group with six points while Australia are in second place.
Uzbekistan scored their first goal through Abdixolikov Bobir in the 28th minute. They doubled the score in the 39th minute through midfilder Doston Ibragmov to end the first half leading 2-0.
Ibragmov was once again the man of the moment as he netted his second and the team’s third goal of the night in the 47th minute.
Australia scored their first goal of the night through Liam in the 63rd minute after Uzbekistan captain Kobilov Islomjon was shown the red card in the 56th minute.
Australia were once again awarded a penalty in the 92nd minute which George Blackwood converted.
In another match, third-placed Tajikistan saw off China 2-0.
The Tajiks, who fell to defeat against Uzbekistan in the opening game, scored a third minute goal through Ehsoni Panshanbe to grab the lead. Nurridin Hamroqulov scored their second goal in the 65th minute to claim their first three points of the tournament.
Bahrain will hope to reach the quarter-finals when they face Thailand tonight at 7.30pm at Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town.
Bahrain, who are in second place in Group ‘A’ ahead of Saudi Arabia and Thailand, will look for their second win of the tournament to move into the quarter finals.
Bahrain defeated Saudi Arabia in the opening game of the tournament 3-2, before falling to defeat against 12-time champions South Korea, who sit on top of the group with two wins.
Bahrain coach Abdulaziz Abdo held the last training session at Al Ahli Club pitch in Zinj yesterday.
Coach Abdo hoped for a positive result against Thailand to keep the team’s hopes alive and hopefully earn a ticket to the Under-20 World Cup in South Korea next year.
The four best teams, along with hosts South Korea, will represent Asia in the under-20 World Cup.
“We are all hoping for the win which will keep our hopes alive in the tournament. We did not deserve to lose the match against South Korea, but individual errors made us pay the price,” coach Abdo said.
“Today, we have the chance to make it up against Thailand, and we need to make use of it. We need to achieve our dreams of going through to the next round,” the Bahraini tactician said.
Abdo said the coaching staff have studied their opponents well and have together set the game plan which was practised in the last training session.
Bahrain manager Shaikh Khalid bin Salman Al Khalifa said the team was brimming with confidence ahead of their crucial encounter against Thailand. He said the team had worked hard to recover from their defeat against South Korea.
Shaikh Khalid also highlighted the team’s hopes of giving their supporters something to cheer for.
“We know the importance of the game to the fans who have been supporting us throughout the campaign,” He said.
“We have taken the necessary steps to take the three points and the qualification ticket,” Shaikh Khalid added.
In another Group ‘A’ match tonight, South Korea face Saudi Arabia at 7.30pm at Bahrain National Stadium.
South Korea will need at least a draw to confirm their qualification, while a defeat would brighten Saudi Arabia’s hopes of advancing into last eight.
The Koreans, who are among the title contenders, defeated Thailand 3-1 in their opening game before seeing off hosts Bahrain 2-1 in the second match, propelling them to the top of the table with six points.
Saudi Arabia, in third place, lost to Bahrain in the opening game 2-3 before registering their first win of the tournament against Thailand 4-0.