Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Hong Kong: Late goals from Vokhid Shodiev and Odil Ahmedov saw Uzbekistan secure a sixth consecutive AFC Asian Cup appearance after finally breaking down a stubborn Hong Kong, who had played over 45 minutes with just 10 men on Tuesday.
Hong Kong had appeared to have done enough to remain in contention for a top-two finish in Group E despite Cheung Kin Fung’s red card two minutes before half-time at Hong Kong Stadium.
But with Uzbekistan knowing victory would see the 2011 semi-finalists qualify alongside the United Arab Emirates, Shodiev and Ahmedov struck inside the final six minutes to seal a third win of the campaign.
“Every win helps us to be stronger and become more powerful and of course we are happy to have qualified for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia. I am satisfied with the team and their performance and we are very happy,” said Uzbekistan coach Mirdjalal Kasimov.
“Hong Kong are an organised team and they have a good defensive line. We have been unable to beat them for the last 10 years, but I happy we have now been able to beat them.
“We will do our best in Australia and try and do better than we did in Qatar. We always aim big and we always try to achieve our goals.”
Following back-to-back wins over Vietnam, Uzbekistan almost enjoyed the ideal start after just six minutes as Shodiev headed against the Hong Kong crossbar before the ball dropped into the grateful arms of goalkeeper Yapp Hung Fai.
The majority of the game continued to be played in the Hong Kong half with goalkeeper Yapp called into action on numerous occasions to deal with potentially dangerous situation, although Uzbekistan struggled to create a clear chance to turn their dominance into a breakthrough.
Uzbekistan’s best chance arrived midway through the first half as Sardor Rashidov saw his goalbound shot blocked on the goal-line with Yapp beaten.
But Uzbekistan’s chances were handed a major boost at the end of the first half as defender Cheung was sent-off after bringing down Rashidov on the edge on the area to pick up a second yellow card.
Hong Kong coach Kim Pan-gon was forced to sacrifice midfielder Lam Ka Wai for Wisdom Agbo at half-time, but despite their numerical disadvantage, the home side continued to frustrate Uzbekistan at the start of the second half.
With Hong Kong defending in numbers, Yapp had to be on his toes with 20 minutes remaining to push a header from Shodiev around the post before a last-ditch block from Andy Naegelein denied Rashidov.
Uzbekistan, and in particular Ahmedov, began the resort to long range efforts as the half progressed and Hong Kong almost opened the scoring with eight minutes remaining as a long ball forward caused havoc inside the visitors’ penalty area, but Naegelein was unable to scramble the ball past Eldorbek Suyunov at the back post.
But just two minutes later Uzbekistan took full advantage as Shodiev’s empathic first time finish from inside the area gave Yapp no chance.
And with just over a minute remaining, Ahmedov swept home from close range to seal the win and leave Hong Kong left to fight for the one qualification place on offer for the best third-place finisher from across all five groups with Kim’s side set to round off their campaign against Vietnam in March next year.
“I am really satisfied and proud of the performance of the players. Despite the result, the players showed a desire to win the game and challenge to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup,” said a tearful Hong Kong coach after the game.
“I am proud of them and I appreciate their best efforts and they made a good impression until the end of the game.
“Our players wanted to win. I have no doubt in our players.”