Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kunshan: Azizjon Ganiev dedicated his stunning semi-final strike to his elder brother after the 19-year-old midfielder helped Uzbekistan book their place in the final of the AFC U23 Championship for the first time with a 4-1 win over Korea Republic on Tuesday evening.
Ganiev’s long-range screamer 10 minutes into the first period of extra-time restored Uzbekistan’s lead as they broke the resistance of off 10-man Korea to set up a meeting in the tournament showpiece with Vietnam.
“It was the most wonderful and important goal of my life,” said Ganiev of the strike that finally ended the Koreans’ defiance and led to Uzbekistan eventually registering a significant margin of victory.
“I dedicate this goal to my big brother. Before the game, he told me that I had to score, so I tried so hard and thanks to God his dream came true.”
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/uzbekistanu23-happy1.html
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.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kunshan: Ravshan Khaydarov hailed his Uzbekistan side’s semi-final winning performance against Korea Republic on Tuesday evening as their most impressive to date as the Central Asian nation booked their place in the final of the AFC U23 Championship 2018.
Uzbekistan handed the Koreans a 4-1 defeat in extra-time to advance to the final for the first time, where they will meet Vietnam in Changzhou on Saturday afternoon, and Khaydarov was delighted with his team’s commanding display.
“My players did their maximum, it was their best performance of this tournament,” he said. “We were strong tactically and physically and in other details, even though the players were tired.
“Korea are a strong team and I told my players that before the game. We played two periods of extra time and it was very difficult, but my team showed character and individual skill and I think we deserved this win today.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Changzhou: Vietnam captain Luong Xuan Truong has revealed that the support the team have been receiving from their fans back home has provided just the motivation they needed after the Southeast Asians sealed their place in the AFC U23 Championship 2018 final on Tuesday.
Vietnam twice had to come from a goal down against Qatar to claim a 2-2 draw after extra-time, before goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung’s double save in the penalty shootout sent Park Hang-seo’s charges through to Saturday's final against Uzbekistan.
“I can’t believe we’ve reached this far, it’s unbelievable,” said Xuan Truong.
“I feel amazed. Everyone back in Vietnam is going absolutely crazy, and that is one of the best forms of motivation for the players here in China.
“I just want to say ‘thank you’ to them, and we will try to give them a bigger present from the final match.”