Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tashkent: Debutants Sardor Rashidov and Eldorbek Suyunov combined to inspire former finalists Uzbekistan to a crucial first win of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers as three second half goals secured a 3-1 win over Vietnam at Pakhtakor Stadium.
Uzbekistan were twice denied after having the ball in the back of the net in the first half as Mirdjalal Kasimov’s 2011 AFC Asian Cup finalists looked to hit back after beginning the campaign with a draw at home to Vietnam and defeat by the United Arab Emirates.
But Rashidov finally broke the deadlock midway through the second half after being introduced at half-time before Vietnam defender Au Van Hoan turned the ball into his own net to double Uzbekistan’s advantage.
Nguyen Trong Hoang did beat debutant goalkeeper Suyunov with 14 minutes remaining, but after the custodian maintained Uzbekistan’s lead with a key save from the midfielder eight minutes later, substitute Igor Sergeev struck in stoppage time to lift Kasimov’s side up to second place and level on points with Hong Kong in Group E.
“We couldn`t play well in the first half. I think my players thought it would be easy to beat Vietnam. We made substitutions in the second half and all three players played well,” said Uzbekistan coach Kasimov.
“We knew that Vietnam would use counter-attacks, but we tried to attack and conceded a goal. They tried to stop us playing our game, but Vietnam didn’t have a lot of chances.
“Suyunov played well for his first match. I liked how the young players played and I will give them chances in the coming matches.”
Uzbekistan, who lost last month’s 2014 FIFA World Cup play-off to Jordan on penalties, thought they had opened the scoring after 13 minutes as Server Djeparov fed Bakhodir Nasimov, but the striker had stayed offside before beating Vietnam goalkeeper Nguyen Thanh Binh.
The home side continued to dominate and after Djeparov’s free-kick was turned away by Thanh Binh after 18 minutes, both Ilhom Yunusov and Alexander Geynrikh shot just wide for Uzbekistan midway through the first half.
And Uzbekistan again thought they had broken the deadlock six minutes before half-time as a corner from the home side found its way into the back of the Vietnam net only for the referee to spot a foul.
Vietnam continued to ride their luck in the last minute of the first half Thanh Binh was again called into action as Nasimov met Djeparov’s free-kick only to see his header saved by the visiting custodian.
Rashidov replaced Jasur Khasanov at half-time and almost marked his debut with a goal after 51 minutes but the striker failed to direct his header on target before Nasimov again went close for Uzbekistan on the hour mark.
But Uzbekistan were finally rewarded eight minutes later as Rashidov beat Thanh Binh from just outside the penalty area.
And Uzbekistan were handed a second five minutes later as Vietnam defender Van Hoan turned Sanjar Tursunov’s cross into his own net.
Vietnam, though, set up a nervous final 14 minutes as Uzbekistan goalkeeper Suyunov could only parry Nguyen Anh Duc’s header and Trong Hoang was on hand to halve the deficit.
But after Suyunov came to Uzbekistan’s rescue by denying Trong Hoang with six minutes remaining, Jamshid Iskanderov found fellow substitute Sergeev and the striker sealed the win in stoppage time to leave Uzbekistan five points adrift of the UAE at the halfway stage of the qualifying campaign after handing Vietnam a third defeat in Group E.
“Uzbekistan had 80% possession, but they are not big team, they are just a strong team,” said Vietnam coach Nguyen Van Sy, who is in temporary charge of the side as Hoang Van Phuc is preparing the U-23 side for December’s South East Asian Games in Myanmar.
“Uzbekistan made dangerous attacks in the first half and we expected that they would try more in the second half and this is why we tried to tighten up the defence, but we conceded in the second half. We planned to score from counter-attacks, but we changed our style after the second goal.
“Our aim was to take a point from this game, but we have no points after three games. We will now try to beat Uzbekistan in Vietnam next month.
“Uzbekistan are strong, but I trust my players that they can beat Uzbekistan. We will also look to make positive changes to our squad.”