Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kunshan: Azizjon Ganiev’s 30-yard screamer helped seal Uzbekistan’s place in the final of the AFC U23 Championship 2018 on Tuesday evening as Ravshan Khaydarov’s side handed 10-man Korea Republic a 4-1 defeat in extra-time.
Uzbekistan will face Vietnam in the final in Changzhou on Saturday after Zabikhillo Urinboev had given the Central Asians the lead before Hwang Hyun-soo levelled the score.
But, with Korea down to 10 men following Jang Yun-ho’s sending off, Ganiev’s thunderbolt put the Uzbeks back in the front 10 minutes into extra-time before Jasurbek Yakhshiboev added the third and Akramjon Komilov completed the scoring right on the final whistle.
The opening quarter of the game was nearing its conclusion when the Uzbeks fashioned out their first significant sight of goal as Dostonbek Turunov rose above the Korean defence, only for his attempt to flash across the target and go wide.
By the 33rd minute, Uzbekistan were in front as Javokhir Sidikov’s slide-rule pass found Urinboev in acres of space between the Korean central defenders before calmly slotting the ball beyond Kang Hyeon-mu.
It was a deserved lead for a side who were in the ascendancy throughout the opening 45 minutes, controlling the tempo of the half.