Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Tashkent: Hong Kong heroically survived playing with 10-men for over half an hour to frustrate 2011 semi-finalists Uzbekistan as Wednesday’s AFC Asian Cup qualifier ended goalless in Tashkent.
Lo Kwan Yee’s straight red card just before the hour mark at Pakhtakor Stadium appeared to have swung the tight Group E opener in favour of Uzbekistan, who resume their bid to qualify for a maiden FIFA World Cup in Brazil next year against Lebanon next month.
But despite Uzbekistan enjoying considerable second-half possession with Ulugbek Bakaev and Odil Akhmedov both going close for the home side, Hong Kong nearly snatched all three points in the closing stages through substitute Lam Hok Hei.
“I am satisfied with the result. We were unable to achieve a victory, but we achieved a good result,” said Hong Kong coach Kim Pan-gon.
“We had some difficulties during the match, but it is one of the best matches this team has played. We only lost to Australia at the end of last year after conceding in the 85th minute, but this time we were able to achieve a result even though it was hard.
“I think we deserved the result. We had a little luck as they hit the crossbar, but we played good football even though we had a player sent-off in the second half.
“Uzbekistan played well against Korea Republic and Iran recently but this was a different game. We only defended, but Korea and Iran always attack and maybe Uzbekistan can player better against these teams.”
Uzbekistan, who lost the third place play-off in Qatar two years ago to Korea Republic having reached the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time, enjoyed the greater share of chances in the first half through Server Djeparov and Akmal Shorakhmedov.
But with visiting goalkeeper Yapp Hung Fai remaining largely untested, Hong Kong did have their fair share of opportunities as Chan Siu Ki fired just over from the edge of the penalty area midway through the first half following good work from Jaimes McKee.
The game, though, swung in favour of Uzbekistan 13 minutes into the second half as Lo was sent-off after bundling over Bakaev on the edge of the penalty area with the striker clean through in goal.
And after substitute Alexander Geynrikh sent the resulting free-kick just wide of the upright with Yapp rooted to the spot, Shohruh Gadoev and Bakaev both went close for the home side.
Yapp then came to Hong Kong’s rescue with six minutes remaining as the visiting custodian diverted a rising strike from Anzhi Makhachkala midfielder Akhmedov onto the crossbar.
But despite the home side spending the majority of the final 10 minutes inside the Hong Kong half, the visitors almost snatched all three points with three minutes remaining as substitute Lam raced clear from inside his own half only to be denied by Uzbekistan goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov.
“We should have won this match, but we made several mistakes and missed out on two points,” said Uzbekistan coach Mirdjalal Kasimov.
“We needed an early goal and we had chances to score but we couldn’t convert them. It is also hard for us to play in February, if we played in the spring or autumn it would be better for us.
“But it is good that we have Asian Cup qualifying matches before the World Cup qualifying games. We have a match with UAE in March and then we play Lebanon. We will make sure we prepare as this game has highlighted our weak side.
“I told my players before the game that Hong Kong are a good team. The players respected Hong Kong and they knew it would not be an easy win.”