FUTSAL – UZBEKISTAN revived their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage with a 3-1 win against Australia in their AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup China 202 Group A match at the Hohhot Sports Centre yesterday.
Both teams came into the tie in search of their first win after suffering opening day defeats, with Australia having an opportunity in the opening minute but Alexia Karrys-Stahl failed to get her shot on target.
Uzbekistan responded with intent, testing Australian goalkeeper Sarah Easthope through Feruza Turdiboeva’s efforts, while Claudia Fruscalzo squandered a clear sight of goal from close range.
Australia, however, remained the dominant side with Uzbekistan keeper Angelina Polyshkevich having to be at her best to foil Marianna Tabain’s overhead attempt in the seventh minute.
But the Central Asians almost caught Australia out moments later, but Safina Rushaniya missed an open goalmouth from distance after a quick counter.
The breakthrough for Australia finally came in the ninth minute with Daisy Arrowsmith finishing off her surging run down the left flank with a low shot past a rooted Polyshkevich.
Australia continued to apply pressure but were left to rue Fruscalzo’s missed chance when she hit the left post from distance as Uzbekistan responded with the equaliser.
A neat exchange of passes between Turdiboeva and Gulzoda Amirova drew out Easthope, leaving Amirova to slam the ball into an unattended net.
The second half unfolded in similar fashion with Australia dominating but Uzbekistan looking dangerous on the counter attack with the Central Asian side taking the lead from one such move in the 23rd minute.
Madina Vokhidova and Omina Valikhanova combined well to break down Australia’s defence, with the latter muscling through to nudge the ball across the line.
Australia found themselves further behind five minutes later when Easthope fumbled a routine save, with Shodiya Tosheva pouncing on the loose ball to convert from inside the area as Uzbekistan completed their come-from-behind victory.
Meanwhile, China took a step closer to advancing to the knockout stage with a 5-3 defeat of Chinese Taipei.
Roared on by the home support, China put their opponents under immense pressure right from the start and Zhan Huimin warmed the gloves of Chu Fang-Yi, who then had to rush out to make a good sliding tackle. China’s superb high press meant that Chinese Taipei hardly had a sniff, and they also found it hard to cope with the slick movement of the red shirts.
Zhang was proving to be a real menace and the 24-year-old turned Zhan Zewen’s square pass just wide, before Chu made a wonderful reflex top to deny Su Jiahong.
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