Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Ho Chi Minh City: Emil Kanetov struck with just over a minute remaining as Kyrgyzstan fought back from a two-goal half-time deficit to snatch a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan at the AFC Futsal Championship on Thursday following a pair of late goals at Ton Duc Thang University Stadium.
An own goal from Erkin Tabaldiev and a strike from Farkhod Abdumavlyanov had given Uzbekistan the lead over fellow 2012 quarter-finalists Kyrgyzstan.
But after Ulan Ryskulov reduced the deficit for Kyrgyzstan with three minutes remaining of an evenly-matched and thoroughly entertaining contest, Kanetov netted to ensure a share of the spoils in the Group D opener.
“It was a difficult match as Uzbekistan are a very strong side and we are very happy. I can’t say anything bad about my team,” said Kyrgyzstan coach Rustam Isaev, who now must prepare his side to face Korea Republic on Saturday.
“We had two negative moments. The first was for the first goal when there was miscommunication between the goalkeeper and the defender and the second was for the second goal when there was a tactical mistake.
“But Uzbekistan are a strong side and we are happy we managed to score twice and it is a huge achievement as we now have a chance to go to the knockout stage.”
With the entire contest played out in front of an electric atmosphere provided by a colourful contingent of Uzbekistan supporters, Kyrgyzstan started strongly and Vadim Kondratkov hit the foot of the Uzbekistan post after just over four minutes.
But Uzbekistan took the lead against the run of play just over a minute later as Tabaldiev’s attempted headed clearance from Shuhrat Tojiboev’s long ball forward looped over his own goalkeeper from just outside the penalty area with Nikolai Shamonin out of position.
And Uzbekistan added a second just over four minutes before half-time as Abdumavlyanov’s angled strike evaded Shamonin and found the bottom corner.
Both sides maintained the end-to-end nature of the fast-paced contest into the second half and Uzbekistan goalkeeper Rustam Umarov ensured his side’s two goal cushion remained intact seven minutes after the break with a superb sliding point blank save from Maksadbek Alimov.
With the next goal set to decide an evenly matched contest, with five minutes remaining Kyrgyzstan withdrew goalkeeper Shamonin in place of Marat Duvanaev when Isaev’s side were attacking.
But while Duvanaev was not on the field with three minutes remaining, Kyrgyzstan reduced the deficit as Ryskulov fired high past Uzbekistan goalkeeper Umarov.
And Kyrgyzstan equalised with 62 seconds remaining as Kanetov squeezed his low angled shot between Shamonin and the near post.
“Of course we are disappointed as this is not a good result for us. We scored twice but this is a young team and they made mistakes. There are many things we can do better in the next game,” said Uzbekistan coach Bahodir Ahmedov, who now must re-group his side to face Japan on Saturday after the defending champions earlier recorded a 12-0 win over Korea.
“But some of the young players showed they are also not afraid and I am satisfied with them.”