Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Tashkent: The United Arab Emirates missed out on completing the only 100% AFC Asian Cup qualifying record after Igor Sergeev’s 84th minute header earned Uzbekistan a 1-1 draw in Wednesday’s final game in Group E.
Both sides had already secured qualification for the 2015 finals in Australia, although Ismail Al Hammadi’s superb solo goal against the run of play with 23 minutes remaining looked to have been enough to see the UAE claim a sixth win of the campaign.Tashkent: The United Arab Emirates missed out on completing the only 100% AFC Asian Cup qualifying record after Igor Sergeev’s 84th minute header earned Uzbekistan a 1-1 draw in Wednesday’s final game in Group E.
Both sides had already secured qualification for the 2015 finals in Australia, although Ismail Al Hammadi’s superb solo goal against the run of play with 23 minutes remaining looked to have been enough to see the UAE claim a sixth win of the campaign.
But with Igor Sergeev heading home a dramatic late equaliser at Bunyodkor Stadium, the Group E winners were instead forced to settle for an unbeaten record after falling short of following up last year’s 2-1 home win over 2011 semi-finalists Uzbekistan.
“I congratulate both teams for qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup. The game was very difficult and tough for us. We played better in the second half after Uzbekistan controlled the game in the first half,” said UAE coach Mahdi Ali.
“We played without several main players so I am pleased with how we played. We scored a goal, but Uzbekistan equalised in the last minutes.
“I think a draw is a good result. I liked how my team played and tried to beat our opponents and we fought hard on the pitch. We know our mistakes and will work to solve them in the future.”
Uzbekistan completely dominated the opening 45 minutes but the home side were unable to find a break through as Sanjar Tursunov, Sergeev and captain Server Djeparov all failed to find the target from promising positions.
UAE goalkeeper Ali Khaseif was finally tested 14 minutes before half-time as Sergeev directed a header on target before Odil Ahmedov’s speculative long range strike was comfortably gathered by the visiting custodian a minute before half-time.
Uzbekistan’s domination continued into the second half, but the home side again struggled for quality in the final third.
And somewhat predictably the visitors took the lead seven minutes after the hour mark as half-time substitute Al Hammadi superbly spun Uzbekistan defender Vitaliy Denisov on the edge of the penalty area before calmly wrong-footing goalkeeper Eldorbek Suyunov with an accomplished finish.
Uzbekistan almost found themselves two goals behind with 11 minutes remaining as first Ahmed Khalil struck the foot of the post from inside the penalty area before Ali Mabkhout saw his follow-up effort clawed off the line by Suyunov.
And just five minutes later the home side drew level as Sergeev laid the ball out to the left wing for Sardor Rashidov and the second half substitute delivered a near post cross which was met by a diving header from the striker.
Uzbekistan, though, eventually finished the game with 10 men as defender Islom Tukhtakhujaev picked up a second yellow card in the first minute of stoppage time.
“We had a lot of chances to score, but couldn`t use them. We have spoken about this problem many times,” said Uzbekistan coach Mirdjalal Kasimov.
“The UAE began to play well in the second half and they scored. But our players continued to create chances and Sergeev equalised, although we were unable to score a winning goal.”