AFC Futsal Asian Cup
The Central Asian side were made to work for their first three points by Paulo Fernandes’ men, who closed their campaign empty-handed.
Both sides jostled for control from the start, with Korea Republic’s Eom Si-jun hitting the side netting in the fourth minute and Bektur Iliasov firing wide of the left post at the other end.
Kim Min-seong wasted a golden opportunity to put his side ahead when he shot straight at Bekbolot Akmataliev in a one-on-one situation. Kang Juk-wang followed suit, squandering his chance in front of an open goalmouth with the keeper caught out.
Korea Republic custodian Jeong Joo-ho pulled off his first save when he tipped over Islam Turatbekov’s power-packed shot in the 11th minute but couldn’t do much four minutes later when Sohkhrukh Makhmadaminov slammed the ball into the top left corner off a free-kick.
Makhmadaminov then thought he had struck a second, but his goal was nullified after a Video Support review judged his shot to have deflected off the hand of a teammate on its way in.
Kyrgyz Republic skipper Maksat Alimov, waiting to connect to a pass across the face of goal from Donierbek Amanbaev, was left stunned when Jeong pushed the ball from his path at the last second, Akmataliev then closing the half by easily handling Yoo Seung Mu’s shot from distance.
Group A: Kyrgyz Republic v Korea Republic
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The Korea Republic keeper was called into action again two minutes after the break when he dived to push away Makhmadaminov’s shot while his counterpart also had his hands full, making two consecutive saves from Kim Joo-ho and Kang.
The East Asia side leveled in the 25th minute when Jeong’s throw found Eom down the left, the lanky player calmly controlling the ball and letting loose a shot that clipped Akmataliev on the shin before bouncing in.
Daniiar Talaibekov restored Kyrgyz Republic’s advantage three minutes later when he picked up a backheel pass from Iliasov and swept home from close range, Talaibekov again adding his name to the scoresheet moments later when he stooped to head in off a corner.
Eom pulled one back in the 34th minute when he tapped in from close range off a kick-in as Korea Republic ramped up their attacks, with Akmataliev finding himself in the thick of action towards the closing minutes but doing enough to give his side the win.
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