Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tashkent: Uzbekistan agonisingly missed out on securing a historic maiden appearance at the FIFA World Cup on goal difference despite ending their final round campaign with a rousing 5-1 comeback win over Qatar on Tuesday.
Abdulqadir Ilyas’s 37th minute strike had put Qatar, who had seen their qualification chances ended two weeks ago, ahead at Bunyodkor Stadium with Uzbekistan needing to win to keep their hopes of automatic progress to Brazil 2014 alive.
But despite a brace from Bakhodir Nasimov and further goals from Oleg Zoteev, Odil Akhmedov and Ulugbek Bakaev handing Uzbekistan a fourth win of the final round, Korea Republic and Iran advanced from Group A.
And after being forced to settle for third place on goal difference after finishing level on points with Korea, Uzbekistan must now re-group for September’s play-off against either Jordan or Oman with the winner then going on to face South American opposition in an intercontinental showdown in November for a ticket to Brazil.
“It is very unfortunate for us as we wanted to qualify for World Cup and celebrate with our fans. It is a shame that we could not achieve our aim,” said Uzbekistan coach Mirdjalal Kasimov.
“We couldn`t score in the first half as the Qatar goalkeeper played very well. We made changes in the second half and that’s why scored five goals, but Iran beat Korea.
“We will continue to battle in the next round, although we need a little time to recover.
“We must start to plan for the future and we have a friendly with Turkey on August 14 which will be useful preparation.
“Life goes on and we will give our best to qualify for Brazil.”
Needing to win to keep their hopes of a maiden FIFA World Cup finals appearance alive, Uzbekistan completely dominated from the first whistle although the home side struggled to test Qatar goalkeeper Ahmed Sofyan despite several nervous moments the for the visiting custodian.
Sofyan, though, was finally called into action after 25 minutes as the Qatar goalkeeper had to be on his toes to push Server Djeparov’s rasping strike from the edge of the penalty area over the crossbar.
And after the injured Hussein Ali was replaced by Khalfan Ibrahim for the visitors, Sofyan again kept the scores level after 33 minutes with a superb point blank save from Alexander Geynrikh.
Uzbekistan, though, nearly found themselves behind just a minute later as Ibrahim struck the post for Qatar with goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov beaten.
But just three minutes later Nesterov was left helpless as Ibrahim played in Ilyas and the midfielder coolly guided his shot into the bottom corner with the Uzbekistan goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
Uzbekistan could count themselves unlucky not to draw level before half-time as the home side twice hit the crossbar in the final five minutes of the first half.
There was still time in stoppage time at the end of the opening 45 minutes for Qatar substitute Mohammed Kasola to sting the gloves of Nesterov before Sofyan saved at the feet of Geynrikh following a jinking run from the striker.
Both sides continued to enjoy chances at the start of the second half, but it was Uzbekistan who found the response on the hour mark as substitute Nasimov turned home from close range with virtually his first touch of the contest after replacing Geynrikh.
And 12 minutes later Zoteev completed the turnaround for Uzbekistan as the substitute showed quick feet inside the penalty area before firing low past Sofyan at the foot of his near post.
Uzbekistan doubled their lead two minutes later as Nasimov was on hand to poke home from inside the six-yard area after Qatar had failed to clear Djeparov’s free-kick.
And after substitute Bakaev headed against the crossbar for the home side, Uzbekistan added a fourth with two minutes remaining as Akhmedov followed up after Sofyan had denied Nasimov a hat-trick.
With the final whistle sounding in Ulsan as Iran edged out Korea 1-0, Bakaev got his name on the scoresheet after Qatar had failed to deal with Akhmedov’s low right-wing cross but it was not enough to earn Uzbekistan a trip to their first ever FIFA World Cup finals.
“We began the game very well and scored in the first half, but we played badly in the last 30 minutes and Uzbekistan scored. The result of the match is very bad,” said Qatar coach Fahad Thani.
“I decided to give a chance to the youngsters and the experience will be important for them.”
Photo: WSG