FOOTBALL – Uzbekistan dethroned 10-man Saudi Arabia to book their spot in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 semi-finals with a 2-0 win yesterday.
Khusain Norchaev and Umarali Rakhmonaliev scored either side of half-time to secure Uzbekistan a fourth-consecutive semi-final appearance, taking them a step closer to their Olympic dream with the 2018 champions to face Indonesia in the last four on Monday.
Indonesia pulled off a 11-10 win on penalties against South Korea to seal an historic semi-final place.
Uzbekistan dominated the early possession but struggled to find openings against a Saudi Arabia side who employed aggressive man-to-man marking at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Saudi Arabia had the first sight on goal in the 19th minute when Aiman Yahya sent a cross into the final third, but it was a little too high for an unmarked Meshal Sibyani to connect.
Uzbekistan’s attempt to match Saudi Arabia’s intensity almost backfired in the 41st minute when Abdurauf Buriev fouled Abdullah Radif at the edge of the box, but Yahya steered his free-kick just wide.
The match swung into Uzbekistan’s favour two minutes into added time when Rayan Hamed’s failed clearance led to a moment of brilliance from Norchaev, who waltzed past a defender and goalkeeper Mohammed Al Absi before slotting home
The young Green Falcons returned for the second half with the same tenacity, with their heavy press keeping Uzbekistan on the defence, but the equaliser continued to elude them as neither Mohammed Abu Al Shamat nor Eid Al Muwallad could get their long-range efforts on target.
Saudi Arabia suffered a further blow in the 70th minute when Yahya was given his marching orders after a second yellow card, with Abbosbek Fayzullaev’s subsequent free-kick deflecting off the upright.
Hopes for a Saudi Arabian comeback were then dashed in the 84th minute when Buriev’s fierce strike from nearly 30 yards out saw Al Absi parry the ball into the direction of a prowling Rakhmonaliev, who headed home the winner.
Iraq became the final team to check into the semi-finals after they overcame Vietnam 1-0 at Al Janoub Stadium later yesterday.
With little separating the two sides, the decisive touch was supplied by Ali Jasim from the penalty spot in the 64th minute to give Iraq their first semi-final appearance since the 2016 edition, which was also held in Qatar.
The opening period was stop-start in nature as both sides took time to settle down with the first opening coming on 16 minutes after a Khuat Van Khang miskick saw the ball land nicely for Ali Al Mosawe but his powerful shot was palmed away by Quan Van Chuan.
Vietnam stayed compact with their three centre-backs – Nguyen Manh Hung, Le Nguyen Hoang and Luong Duy Cuong – working closely to crowd out Iraq’s sole striker Amin Al Hamawi, leaving Jasim and Nihad Mohammed with no target man to find.
Iraq were dominant in possession but did allow Nguyen Van Truong to sneak into the penalty box unchecked with 10 minutes of the first half left but the Hanoi FC midfielder was unable to keep his shot on target.
Vietnam survived a scare in the third minute of added time after Jasim teed up Al Mosawe just outside the box, however, the Portugal-based midfielder flashed his shot just wide of the post.
Both sides traded attempts after the break with Al Mosawe going on a driving solo run on the right, before forcing Quan to make a save at his near post. Then, Van Khang’s attempted cross from the left sailed too close for Hussein Hassan’s comfort before eventually bouncing off the bar.
The decisive moment came just before the hour mark when Nihad stole in behind Vietnam’s defence and got to the ball ahead of Quan, with a VAR check confirming that the Vietnam custodian had shoved Nihad off the ball.
Jasim confidently tucked his penalty high into the roof of the net for his third goal of the tournament.
Vietnam’s hopes of a fightback were snuffed in stoppage time after referee Ko Hyung-jin – following a VAR check, sent off Nguyen Manh Hung for a stamp on Jasim as Iraq marched into a semi-final showdown with Japan on Monday.